Welsh had a dream start to his AFL career - 15 senior games and winner of the Best First Year Player Award at the Crichton Medal. But the boy from Westmeadows isn't getting carried away by his first year performance and is determined to have an even better season in 2003. ""I don't want people to think that maybe I just had a good first year and now I will drop off. It is the same after playing well in my first game, I wanted to play well in my second game so people didn't say - he is just a one-game wonder. In 2002 I pretty much played in a back pocket or half-back flank. Next year I want to focus on getting a permanent spot there and keep improving my game. I still have a long way to go,"" Welsh said.
Welsh is refreshed after having two months off and towards the end of his break was itching to get back to training. “At the end of the season my body was pretty tired. The trip overseas was good, but after a while you get a bit bored just sitting at home. I couldn’t wait to get back into it and touch the footy again,” he said. Having one pre-season under his belt, Welsh also believes is a major benefit because he now knows what to expect. “ I have a good idea of what goes on in preseason and how to go about it. Last year I took it day by day, but now you can plan for it. Last year when I was reading off the training program I was thinking what does that mean, but now you understand it all,” Welsh said.
It is only 12 months since Welsh was told his football fate and was drafted by the Bombers. Now a year on he welcomes the new recruits to Windy Hill and can see himself in them. ""I have met Darren Walsh and Jason Winderlich and you can tell they are a little bit nervous. I know how they feel because that is exactly how I was this time last year. They will be right though - all the boys will make them feel welcome,"" Welsh said. In his first year, Welsh found all the players to be role models in the way they approached their training and match preparation and believes the new recruits will find it the same. ""I really look at the way all the players go about their training - they all train hard, but they also know when to have a joke and when to be serious. Peverill and Mark Johnson are always working extra hard and stand out, but the entire side works really hard and are good role models,"" Welsh said.
As for season 2003 - Welsh hasn't set too many long term goals aside from getting through the pre-season and hoping to play in the Round 1 clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
