2018 Junior Development

Discussion on anything to do with Melbourne Storm - games, players, rumours - anything!
Post Reply
User avatar
yourhero
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone
Posts: 5779
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:27 pm
Location: Brisbane, QLD

Didn’t want to start a new thread, thought this one was most appropriate...

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... ian-welch/

Scouting Stories: Christian Welch
melbournestorm.com.au
Thu 19 Apr 2018

Christian Welch was playing in the centres when he was first spotted by Storm recruiters.

Not only was he playing a different position, he was playing a completely different sport.

Welch appeared on the Storm radar as a teenager whilst playing at the rugby union state championships up in Brisbane back in 2011.

Liking what they saw, the Storm recruiters convinced the Sydney-born, Brisbane-raised talent to switch codes and join the development program at feeder Club Easts Tigers the following year.

That was when the forward known as Christian Welch was born.

“We asked the coaches (at Easts) to play him in the back row instead of the centres,” Storm recruitment manager Paul Bunn said.

“In our mind we had it as a bit of an experiment, we wanted to turn him into a front rower. The theory was that there was not too many big guys in that age group who played in the front row and had a bit of leg speed.

“The idea was to get him into the back row and then work him into the middle.”

The experiment worked.

“We just knew that if we gave him a task he would attempt to do it and he did. He put on weight, he got bigger and stronger,” Bunn said.

“Christian had a number of clubs trying to get him to sign with them but because he was in our development squad at Easts Tigers in Brisbane he elected to stay loyal and come down to Melbourne to play Under-20s.”

That show of loyalty did not come as a surprise to Storm officials.

As they do with all players, they did their due diligence on Welch. Bunn met with those close to him and it did not take long to form his view of the young man - clever, committed, supported and determined.

“You just knew when you interviewed his family, his teachers, all the character references just pointed to a lad who was coming from a good family and was a terrific young gentlemen,” Bunn said.

“He is an outstanding young fella.

“Character-wise his resilience, toughness and competiveness, he was just driven to achieve his goals on and off the field.”

And achieve them he has.

On the field Welch has played 41 NRL games to date in the purple jersey.

His 2017 was cut cruelly short after rupturing his ACL in Round 8 however true to form Welch threw everything into his rehab and had earned his spot back in Craig Bellamy’s side by the start of the year.

His accomplishments have also extended off the field, with the Storm big man using the back end of last year to complete his Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University.

There are a lot more strings to Christian Welch’s bow than just running a hard line but it is that same mindset that has driven him to succeed in every aspect over his first 23 years.

“He has a willingness to do his best for you,” Bunn said.

“He does a lot of little things right and prepares himself to perform on gameday, whether it be on the training paddock or with sleep, nutrition etc.

“Christian is pretty much a true professional.”
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

A great success story of hard work. Hopefully the next generation can aspire to do the same.
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Victoria Thunderbolts MM (U18) side finished in 8th spot.

Victoria Thunderbolts HDC (U20) are currently in 4th spot.
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Lost to Townsville 34 -12
http://live.qrl.com.au/match/cdf65cb421 ... 70c790a73a

Currently in 6th.
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Lost to Wynnum 37-34
http://live.qrl.com.au/match/cdf65cb421 ... 8dc9ada88c

Currently in 7th.
Junior Ratuva leading try scorer with 10. Trent Tolau back in 5th with 7 tries.
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Congrats to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui on his selection in the QLD U18 side.
https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/05/21 ... r-18-team/
User avatar
sallymay
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone
Posts: 6310
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:09 pm

Congrats Tino
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

User avatar
yourhero
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone
Posts: 5779
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:27 pm
Location: Brisbane, QLD

Really sounds like Tino is putting in the hard yards and has the right attitude. Hopefully he continues to develop and one day pulls on a purple jersey. Been in the Brisbane development system since 12yo!!?? Jesus they get at them young...

Seems he has strong ties in Brisbane but hopefully we can hold on to him.
User avatar
yourhero
Tropical Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone
Posts: 5779
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:27 pm
Location: Brisbane, QLD

Also great to see another Victorian junior make a break into Q Cup (Kelma Tuilangi).
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

He scored a great bullocking try in the first half for QLD U18, but will need to work on his fitness. Looked like he'd had an issue with his knee as well.
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Congrats to Ryan Papenhuyzen on his selection in the NSW U20 side.
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/06/3 ... ouncement/
ALX22
Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
Posts: 889
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:25 pm

Victoria 22 (Tries: Sua Faalogo, Harry Sio 2, Brait Headon - Goals: Sua Faalogo 3) defeated Western Australia 20

Man of Match
Vic 11 Harry Sio – Sunshine Secondary College, Sunshine

Victoria U15
1 Sualauvi Faalogo, 2 Joel Kuku, 3 Norman Mataafa, 4 Fili Tofa, 5 Brait Headon, 6 Josiah Keni, 7 Devisarn Ene, 8 Mikey Mailelaa, 9 Zinzan Kahu, 10 Markis Atoa, 11 Harry Sio, 12 Titan Tiananga, 13 Douglas Atulia, 15 Zavier Tetevano, 16 Sheldon Diaz, 17 Peni Falepaini, 18 Gabriel Reedy-Bartlett, 19 Levi Kereopa, 20 Lene Feterika, 21 Semisi Taufa

Follow: http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page ... sID=406090
Scores: http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info. ... ND&round=0
Post Reply