Christian Welch opens up on retirement as Storm seek cap relief for battered prop

Christian Welch has opened up on the debilitating injuries that forced him into retirement, while Melbourne have presented the NRL with a bulging medical report as they attempt to free up his $600,000 salary.

The Melbourne Storm have provided the NRL with a battery of medical reports and expert evidence as they apply for salary cap dispensation for departing prop Christian Welch.

Welch confirmed his retirement on Wednesday, a longstanding back problem and pre-season concussion convincing the Queensland State of Origin forward that it was time to draw the curtain on his career.

The 30-year-old, who was on $600,000 a year, had the rest of this season remaining on his contract but the Storm have formally applied for the deal to be cap exempt, having provided head office with evidence from doctors, surgeons and a neurosurgeon.

A final decision is now in the hands of the NRL and their chief medical officer Sharron Flahive. Welch, meanwhile, plans to step away from the game for at least six months and allow his body time to recover, having dealt with a back problem throughout last season and a concussion in the pre-season.

At times in 2024, he struggled to tie his shoelaces, let alone get a solid night’s sleep, as he dealt with the debilitating pain from a herniated disc.

Painkillers and cortisone injections helped him get through the season but Welch is the first to concede he wasn’t at his best, his frustrations with his own form climaxing on the biggest night of the year as the Storm were beaten in the grand final and he was limited to only 20 minutes.

Storm star Christian Welch has announced his immediate retirement. Picture: Michael Klein

There had been whispers of potential retirement throughout the pre-season but social media began to buzz last week when he was absent from a team photo.

“I was managing it all right, but taking a lot of medication – neural medication – and painkillers to kind of get up,” he said.

“It was going all right and then it kind of deteriorated – I missed about four games in a row around June-July. Then I had to get two injections into my back – cortisone injections – to just reduce the symptoms, but it doesn’t actually fix anything.

“It’s just pain relief. I had a couple of injections and then kind of struggled and I obviously wasn’t happy with how I went in the grand final.

“The body was really struggling and I kind of hoped the off-season that I’d be able to get back. I was having trouble bending and tying shoelaces – and even just sleeping – with neural pain.

“Obviously having another head knock at training and then with my injury history, it was just the right time to finish up because the body sadly just wasn’t holding up to the rigours of playing NRL.”

Welch struggled with head knocks throughout his career. Picture: Getty Images

There are some things that Welch won’t miss. There are plenty he will.

“I’m not going to miss trying to tackle Junior Paulo or Payne Haas,” Welch said.

“But I’m going to miss the roommates, the playing cards, the bus trips. We’ve had a lot of success (at the Storm). It’s just really the bonding and the camaraderie.

“I have been groomsman for a few old teammates. I was (Cameron) Munster’s best man. He’ll be in my bridal party. And being involved with some pretty spectacular people – I’ll be able to tell my kids one day that played with Cameron Smith and Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk and was coached by Craig Bellamy, who I reckon is one of the best coaches ever, if not the best.

“It’s been a real delight.”

He departs having appeared in more than 160 games for the Storm and six games for Queensland. He is a life member of the Storm and will forever be indebted to the club for the opportunities they gave him, including a premiership success in 2020.

Melbourne have applied for salary cap exemption after Welch’s medical retirement. Picture: Getty Images

His departure gives the Storm some cap certainty and clear air heading into 2026, when they have the likes of Josh King and Tui Kamikamica coming off contract. Beyond that, there are deals to be done for captain Harry Grant, halfback Jahrome Hughes, centre Nick Meaney and wingers Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates,

Welch is one of the game’s most intelligent and thought-provoking players, having completed a commerce degree and an MBA. He plans to step away for some time but he will eventually be back. The game can’t afford to lose him.

“I spoke to Robbie Ross, actually, one of the Storm originals,” Welch said.

“He’s a great man. He lives in Melbourne. He was big on having a bit of a gap – a half a year – of just trying to get away and just kind of close down that chapter before jumping into anything too quickly.

“I don’t have any plans to be honest. It’s all kind of come around rather quick. I finished my commerce degree. I’ve done my MBA and I’ve been working at carsales on my day off, but it’s going to be challenging nonetheless.

“I’ve gotten so much from the game, so if I could stay involved in some capacity and find a way to contribute, it’s certainly something I’d really love to do.”

Originally published as Christian Welch opens up on retirement as Storm seek cap relief for battered prop