As young rookies paving their way in first-grade, Christian Welch and Cameron Munster used to share a house, now as two of the ‘old heads’ in the Storm camp they are sharing leadership duties to bring through the Club’s next generation.
Welch (captain) alongside Munster, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes (vice-captains) and Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tom Eisenhuth round out the 2023 Melbourne Storm leadership group who will steer Craig Bellamy’s side throughout the season.
While experiencing their own individual journeys, the Queensland duos’ respective careers have run similar courses throughout their time in purple. The pair landed in Melbourne as teenagers, playing together for Storm’s U20’s Thunderbolts in the National Youth Competition before breaking into first-grade.
Munster’s shot at the big time came when he replaced Storm legend Billy Slater for one match in Townsville in 2014 while Welch debuted one year later. By the following year, in 2016 both were regulars in Craig Bellamy’s outfit who made a run all the way to the Grand Final.
Since then they have both tasted the success, failures, ups and downs that come with life in first-grade, at both club and state level, and Munster knows it’s not just what you see on the field that makes Welch so great.
“I’ve been with him since I was 18, 19 years of age. We have lived together, played footy together,” Munster said on Wednesday.
“He brings that calm influence.
He’s going to be such a great role model for our younger boys coming through but for the game in general.
“He does so much behind the scenes.
“To see him develop not only as a player but as a person it’s been very warming.”
While Welch brings the calming influence, Munster admits he will bring his own unique leadership qualities along with the remainder of the leadership group.
“I’ve got a lot of energy but for me I like to lead by my actions,” Munster said.
“I know I might say some silly stuff in the media and that, I’m a bit of a larrikin. But I like to make sure I’m very competitive when it comes to footy.”
Munster’s return to the leadership group comes following a standout 2022 season where the five-eighth was named Storm’s Player of the Year
“It’s a crazy turnaround from the last twelve months,” Munster explained at Storm’s leadership announcement on Wednesday.
“I’m really proud of the way I have come.
“We’re pretty lucky to have such a great leadership group. There are a lot of leaders in our team, I’m really excited to lead this next generation coming through.”
