While the annual NRL market frenzy is set to kick off in the coming weeks, we have taken a look internally to see who your club should lock down before they look externally.

7. Melbourne Storm

Christian Welch

After debuting for the Storm back in 2016 Christian Welch has cemented himself as one of Craig Bellamy’s go to forwards in his 65 NRL games to date.

Under-rated by most outside of the Melbourne Storm system, Welch has gained his due plaudits in the past few seasons by being named as 18th man for the Queensland Maroons on various occasions.

Still only 24, Welch is about to enter his prime years as a front-row forward, and after losing so many gun forwards to opposition clubs over the years, you can bet Craig Bellamy will be doing everything within his power to keep hold of the Gladstone junior.

With Welch now applying his effective negotiations course completed at Harvard to help him conduct his own contract negotiations and the Storm having released Sam Kasiano to the Super League to free up cap space, 2019 is set to be a big year for Christian Welch both on and off the field.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - MAY 06: Christian Welch of the Storm is tackled by James Graham and Jack De Belin of the Dragons during the round nine NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm at UOW Jubilee Oval on May 6, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

6 COMMENTS

  2. Te Marie Martin? Would most likely make a useful centre. He has pace & backs up. Still a useless 5/8th & sets up very little.
    Sione Katoa? If the juniors there come up with a useful hooker? That player would have an easy run into first grade. Nothing so far from either hooker that they’ve been using.

  3. The Roosters I hope re-sign Tetevano. Such a hard worker and all round top player. The rumour is getting louder and louder George Burgess wants a Roosters contract, but Pangai Junior is being linked with the Roosters also. We already have our own Pangai Junior in Taukeiaho, Tetevano is the bloke we need to retain regardless of who is linked or rumoured to be after a position at the Chooks. Sydney Roosters also need to make sure they retain development program rookie big prop Poasa Faamausili long term as they have with Lindsay Collins until 2022💪🐔👍