Christian Welch has explained the “strange” reason behind his late withdrawal from the Storm‘s big win over the Broncos last week, and confirmed he will take the field against the Sharks.
Welch was initially named on the bench when teams were released last Tuesday, but was out of the team when the squad was reduced the following night.
On Wednesday evening, Welch explained a wayward golf shot was the catalyst for what would eventually lead to his withdrawal.
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“I actually got bitten by something. I’m a terrible golfer, so I was off in the shrubbery and I think a little spider got me,” he told Mark Levy on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio.
“Then my leg blew up and got infected, and I had a pretty bad fever.
“It was a strange injury to have, but back fully healthy now.”
Despite playing in Melbourne, the Sharks are a dangerous prospect for the Storm. A Nicho Hynes-less Sharks outfit beat the Storm 25-10 in their round 10 clash at AAMI Park.
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It’s a danger Welch said the side were well aware of.
“They came down here earlier this year and they beat us … I don’t doubt they’ve got full confidence,” he said.
“We’re certainly not taking them lightly. They’re a really well-coached side and just really physical and work really hard.
“It starts with their back five – all those guys run incredibly hard and play the ball really quickly. In today’s NRL, having that ruck speed really sets you up.
“It’s a really threatening team … we’ve got our work cut out for us on Saturday arvo.”
Named on the bench, Welch isn’t the only big name returning for the Storm. Ryan Papenhuyzen will return from a leg injury he suffered against the Cowboys in round 26.
Welch said Papenhuyzen had effectively been rested for the Broncos clash, and would have played had the game been a final.