‘Looking really good for round 1’: Storm star tracks well for season opener after incredible charitable gesture

It’s been a brutal few years for Christian Welch, but injuries haven’t stopped the Storm veteran from putting smiles on countless faces.

Christian Welch is set to play in round 1. Picture; Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Given all the incredible charitable work he does off the field, Storm veteran Christian Welch deserves a slice of good luck in 2023, with the prop confident he’ll be fit for Melbourne’s Round 1 clash against Parramatta.

Welch played just one game last season and missed the rest of the campaign after he suffered a serious achilles injury in the opening round against the Wests Tigers.

Christian Welch is confident he’ll be fit for round 1 after some luckless years. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

He tried to make a late return but the emotional and physical toll of the injury were too much, with Welch sidelined with his third serious injury in six years following ACL tears in 2017 and 2019.

The Origin representative was distraught after last year’s cruel diagnosis but is on track to return for the season opener against the Eels as he and a number of teammates attempt to overcome injuries in time for the game.

Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is in the US trying to get his body right after several serious injuries, while a number of World Cup players have also been part of an expensive rehab group that has earnt a fitting nickname.

“They’re calling it the salary cap group,” Welch told the NCA NewsWire.

“Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Tariq Sims and Xavier Coates have all been a part of it.

“We’ve had some accomplished players who haven’t been able to get in with the main players, but we’re starting to integrate this week in Geelong and it’s been really positive to have guys leaving the injury group at this camp.

“I’m looking really good for round 1. I’ve still got to get through a fair body of work, but I’m really positive that I’ll be there for the first game of the year.”

Ryan Papenhuyzen is receiving treatment overseas. Picture; Instagram

Welch deserves some good luck given what he’s endured, but he says the setbacks are nothing compared to what other people have to go through.

It’s why in 2017, after his first ACL injury, he decided to link up with Camp Quality, where he has since become an ambassador and has raised precious dollars and put smiles on the faces of children doing it tough.

“Seeing people with debilitating illnesses and permanent disabilities kind of put my ACL in perspective because my ACL was going to be repaired, I was getting paid the same and didn’t have to worry about paying my bills,” he said.

“It’s a great charity to be involved in. People look up to NRL players and the Storm, so it’s been awesome to give back and use my profile in a good way.”

Welch has been part of plenty of events to raise money for the charity, revealing a Storm sponsor donated a corporate suite last year where children with compromised immune systems were given the chance to safely watch live sport with their loved ones.

The Storm star’s philanthropic side was on full show again last Friday as he and his teammates said goodbye to their hair all in the name of charity.

The Storm raised nearly $30,000 for Camp Quality. Picture; Supplied

“I think we raised just over $26,000 for Camp Quality,” Welch said.

“It’s a horrible thing that people have to go through. Young kids from 0-12 should be out there running around and having fun, but instead these kids are living in hospitals in chemo wards, so it’s really tough.

“Any respite that Camp Quality can give them is amazing, so it’s the least we could do.

“Covid has obviously been a tough time for the charity sector, and Camp Quality relies on events to raise a lot of money to help fund their operations.

“We had 26 guys all up – 21 players and five coaches including the head honcho – so it was amazing buy-in from all the boys at the Storm. I’m so grateful for all the support from everyone who got behind it.”

Originally published as ‘Looking really good for round 1’: Storm star tracks well for season opener after incredible charitable gesture