Clint Gutherson has never had a face-to-face conversation with Christian Welch.
But the Parramatta captain took it upon himself to reach out to the Melbourne star after the latter suffered a demoralising injury at the weekend.
Welch ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, and the Storm fan favourite is facing up to a year in recovery.
Gutherson knows the pain all too well.
Upon rupturing it for the second time, Gutherson experienced a flood of support from his fellow rugby league professionals.
Retired Sea Eagles champion Brett Stewart was among those who Gutherson spoke to in an effort to ease the heartache. It helped immensely.
That’s why as soon as he heard the news of Welch’s injury, he jumped on his phone and tracked down the NRL rival he’s never properly met.
“I actually text him the other day to wish him well with his reco. It’s shattering news. He text me last time I did mine,” Gutherson revealed to foxsports.com.au.
“I haven’t even met him ... just via social media, which is a good use for it these days.
“I just sent him a text and said hopefully it all goes well. I said I’ve done two (ACL injuries) as well and if you ever need someone to text about it just flick me a text and we can talk.
“It’s shattering. It’s a part of the game, we all know that, and there’s more to life than rugby league, we all know that.
“But it’s never good to go through it. A simple text like that can help someone.
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“When I did my knee in 2017 I had heaps of players texting me. I think players who have been through injuries and tough times realise a simple text can help.
“A lot of people do reach out and that’s why NRL is such a good game.”
Welch is said to be shattered following the confirmation of his injury.
To compound the situation, he was in the middle of negotiating his NRL future.
As revealed by foxsports.com.au in NRL Scout, Welch has activated a one-year contract clause in his favour at Melbourne, meaning his employment in 2020 is guaranteed.
But he’s been in discussions with the Eels, among other clubs, to potentially jump ship before next season.
Now facing the possibility of being unable to play football for most of 2020, Welch suddenly finds himself in an awkward contract limbo.
But there remains a strong chance he and Gutherson could be teammates at some stage soon.
Replies
Hope we get him but should be at a refuced price
The last sentence interests me, although early days big time.
I wouldn't touch an injured player were we stand currently. Especially when we need a starting prop and 2nd rower.
If need be I'd offer 600 for 2 years and see how his knee holds up. Any contract longer than that is a massive risk. They say he'll miss more than half of next year and you're never sure if the player can return to his previous high standards.
A lot of similarity’s with these two,
compare the pair.
Both “nice guys”
both just “above average”
both “have done two acls
both asking overs and holding the only club interested to ransom.
Both looking for a long lucrative contract to counter the high possibility of early retirement.
i bet they magically have a lot more in common.
Where is Welch asking for overs? There have been several reports doing the rounds and one of the later ones has mentioned that the eels had asked his asking price, sum mentioned was $500K a season, with that its not a huge number and considering his standard of game play pre this injury he's worth that much, but not now. No one knows what he's on at the Storm or at least accesible to how much, other than stabs in the dark, he's also relativelly experienced as he's played 78 NRL games for the storm and SOO this year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Welch
From what little I have seen of him and the minimiist info he is performing pretty good really, also the aspect that the Storm want to keep him says a fair bit, its reported that he has taken up the option for next year since the report that the eels have pulled out, but that does not mean that if he comes good following the surgery then he would still be worth looking at, especially given his age and abilities,
Welch was looking for a 3 year contract, a fairly common number these days.
Bet he's kicking hgimself for not signing the deal on the table with us a week or two ago.
Shattered
No doubt it's all working out in the right way for us and Christian.
Honestly we should just sign him on unders next year. He’d be good to have around the club and extend after that. Idk if staying at Melbourne will be a good move but I guess he lives there and that.
P&B, its not as silly as one would think, if he comes here next year and the club takes a risk on him, he could well be playing in the 2nd half of next season, IIIRC we had players out for that long this year as well, IIRC. I would believe the eels medical team would have him in good order in recovery, he would get a minimal contract until he gets on to the field and be on a option for the 2nd and 3rd years.
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