This was the last Saturday in June when the Newcastle Knights, who were stuck in 14th and had won 2 games in 2 months, lost to a Penrith Panthers team missing half their starting 13 (Or close enough to it) due to State of Origin a few days prior, and Melbourne Storm captain Christian Welch had a word to coach Craig Bellamy before the press conference following the Melbourne Storm’s victory against the Sea Eagles that night.

Newcastle been beaten earlier on Saturday by Penrith despite the reigning premiers resting Origin stars Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.

The Panthers were also without injured halfback Nathan Cleary, but they still prevailed 20-12.

“How did the Knights lose?,” a surprised Welch asks Bellamy.

“Hey?,” the confused coach responds.

“Knights…,” Welch says.

“Yeah, yeah…,” Bellamy responds.

“The Panthers didn‘t have anyone,” Welch quipped.

From Fox Sports Australia / Fox League

Funny how Craig Bellamy, the one coach in the league who would refuse to give his opposition any form of motivation, didn’t try and pull his own captain up, but admittedly it was there in the moment.

Since that comment:

The Melbourne Storm got their arse handed to them twice by the Panthers, the first defeat coming only 6 days after Welch made that comment.

The Knights defeated the Storm in Round 21, their first win against the Storm since 2015.

And most importantly of all, as of tonight, the Newcastle Knights have now won 9 consecutive games, finished in 5th on the ladder, and will host their first final in Newcastle since 2006.

It makes you think, Christian Welch motivated the Knights players better than Adam O’Brien ever could.