Storm Star’s Shocking Retirement Due to Debilitating Injury and Meds

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Storm prop Christian Welch has opened up on the debilitating back injury that forced him into medical retirement with two years remaining on his Melbourne contract.

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As first revealed by Fox Sports’ James Hooper, Welch was considering a medical retirement due to a back injury, which was later confirmed by the champion front-rower ahead of a press conference on Wednesday February 12.

AAP reported Welch has pulled the pin on his 163-game Storm career, which also saw him play six Origins for the Maroons and win two premierships from five grand finals since his debut in 2015.

The 30-year-old reportedly required a cocktail of drugs just to get through last year’s NRL grand final and now is struggling to put on his shoes, as the back injury takes a toll on his everyday life.

Welch told AAP the tough decision to retire came after a recent concussion at Melbourne’s pre-season camp, which reinforced to him it was time to pull up stumps on his rugby league career.

Welch originally suffered the back injury in Melbourne’s pre-season match in Fiji last year and battled through the season, hoping the herniated disc would heal without surgery, but ultimately it forced him into premature retirement.

“In the grand final I was on pretty heavy neural meds and I was taking probably like six to eight, a real cocktail of medicine to try get through the game,” Welch told AAP.

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“It was a real struggle and it probably reflected, to be honest, in that grand final, and I suppose my body just really struggled.

“I’ve been carrying it since last season and I was hoping maybe in the off-season I could correct it and come back pretty good but it just was hanging around.

“And then at the Geelong camp I just got a bit of a (head) knock and so that’s a concern as well, considering my history.”

Welch’s career was hampered by three ACL injuries and a ruptured Achilles, which denied him the chance to reach the 200-game mark for the club.

Welch missed the 2017 Grand Final due to a knee injury and lost three Grand Finals, while lifting the trophy as a player in 2020.

The former Storm skipper earned a Masters degree in commerce, and also served on the board of the Rugby League Players Association and was integral in negotiating their most recent pay deal.

Welch paid tribute to the Storm club for the role they have played in over a third of his life.

“It’s just been the best time – I know I’ve had some injuries and we’ve lost some grand finals, but it’s seriously been the greatest joy,” Welch said.

“And that’s probably more off the field, to be honest, the relationships and the memories, you know, the bus rides, and the card games and the hotels, roommates – that’s probably what I’ll look back on more fondly than anything on field.

“But it probably reached a time where my body was just struggling to cope with the demands of the NRL and 10 long years playing and a lot of injuries.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve been able to achieve and very grateful to be at this one club for so long.”