Melbourne Storm premiership player joins Collingwood offices

Recently retired Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch has joined Collingwood as a business analyst.

Welch hung up the boots after 163 matches for the Storm, spanning over 10 seasons, while he also featured for Queensland in State of Origin.

The 31-year-old was a premiership player for the NRL powerhouse in 2020, and has transitioned outside the "rugby league bubble" in search of new opportunities.

Welch will work closely across the Pies' Commercial and Data, Analytics & Technology teams, helping strengthen their insights, strategy, and commercial decision‑making.

"I really admire Collingwood as a club and the AFL in how they operate," Welch told Zero Hanger.

"I wanted to get outside the rugby league bubble for a while & challenge myself to learn and develop. Not sure what the future holds, Collingwood HQ is literally next door to the Storm, so I'll continue to have a close relationship there.

"It's a privilege to be at one of the best sporting organisations in Australia, so it's just be a sponge and work hard to help contribute."

Welch has a Commerce degree and an MBA, studying at Harvard, Berlin & Oxford. He was also a board director for the RLPA and represented the players' interests, negotiating the current men's and women's collective bargaining agreements.

Former Storm teammate Ryan Hoffman has also jumped codes, joining Steven King and Melbourne's new coaching group in a part-time capacity.

Hoffman, who will work with the Demons at least one day per week as a leadership consultant, brings a wealth of experience from the elite level, having spent 16 years in rugby league.

The NRL great's code switch isn't the first of its kind, with his ex-teammate Billy Slater linking up with St Kilda in 2019. 

The Storm called on the services of retired Geelong champion Joel Selwood for the 2023 season, following his decorated career with the Cats, as well as Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell.

Early in 2025, Hawthorn called on the insight of North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten for its Round 13 clash with the Western Bulldogs, mentoring Sam Mitchell and his team.