Andrew Welsh Biography

Barry Young withdraws his nomination to run for the Bombers' board, throwing his support behind incumbent Andrew Muir and newcomer Andrew Welsh for the director positions.

"I had great feedback when I put my hand up and I've had a lot of Essendon people in the last year or two say 'You need to put your hand up'. I had some other priorities in my life I had to take care of and now I've got a bit more time on my hands and I thought it was the right time," he said.

"But with those two now coming up for election, I'm comfortable and happy for them to be on the board and I hope they get enough votes to stay on the board."

Retired Essendon defender Andrew Welsh always put the club first, writes Callum Twomey.

"This football club has given me more than I could have imagined," Welsh said.

"I've met some fantastic people along the way, some of those are in the room today. Some I told last night and are full of praise for my career because I did everything for the Essendon Football Club and put my own personal glory to the back of my mind. And that is why I wanted to go out with the decision I did."

An ankle injury has forced Essendon veteran Andrew Welsh to announce his retirement .

"When I first did it, the break and dislocation was pretty severe," Welsh said.

"But I got back after four months and it's probably just slowly deteriorated, to where it's at this stage. The recovery and outcome is unknown."

Essendon's Andrew Welsh failed to get his kneeing charge downgraded from intentional to reckless and will miss the next four matches.

"Unfortunately the tribunal didn't agree with that view and we have to accept the outcome," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"We are obviously disappointed because Andrew is an important player for us and to have him missing for that period of time is disappointing."

Veteran Andrew Welsh explains that he never had any intetion of walking out on the Bombers last year and says that he is excited about where the club is heading.

"I'm a local boy, I love the club, and we've been through a lot of hard years and I think we're on the way up," Welsh said.

"The signs are promising - we've got a lot of hard work to do, but I want to be a part of that as much as any other boy here."

Bomber Andrew Welsh says the thought of him being traded from Essendon made him sick.

"It gave me a sick feeling that there was talk out there of other clubs," Welsh said.

"I grew up locally, I'm an Essendon person and I love the club. It's where I want to be and play here my whole career.

"It gave me a sick feeling to think that my name was even mentioned. That was a pretty good sign to myself that I don't want to be anywhere else except for here."

Andrew Welsh and Nathan Lovett-Murray have signed new two-year contracts with Essendon, but utility Adam McPhee remains in limbo.

"Andrew and Nathan are two of the real leaders at the club and as two senior players with strong bodies they will be important to our future success," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

Chief executive Ian Robson is confident that looming discussions with Adam McPhee, Andrew Welsh and their respective managers will be positive.

"They are both required players and I am confident we will be able to resolve it in a positive manner for both parties, with the circumstances where we currently see ourselves, and that they'll stay Essendon players," Robson told radio station SEN.

Essendon leaders Andrew Welsh and Adam McPhee are considering nominating for the draft after being disappointed with two-year deals presented to them after pushing for new three-year contracts.

Essendon's Andrew Welsh returns fire at Campbell Brown after the Hawk labeled Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd as being a "sniper" following his collision with Brad Sewell that left Sewell with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket.

"Hawthorn is a strong, aggressive side, they're no angels. So you've got to be careful that your own back yard is clean before you come out and question other people's attack on the ball," Welsh said.

Andrew Welsh says he was always hopeful of a quick return after breaking his leg in a pre-season practice match.

The midfielder will make his return for the Bombers tomorrow night against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, just four months after his leg was smashed and ankle dislocated in a practice match in February.

"After a few days, I penciled in Melbourne, mid-season break that's when I wanted to come back," Welsh said.

"A lot of people said it was unrealistic, but you have got to set goals, so I set it and it has come through."

Essendon is set to welcome three key players back for Friday night's match with Melbourne.

Key defender Dustin Fletcher and onballers Andrew Welsh are almost certain to line-up, while speedster Jason Winderlich will be named depending on how he recovers from training today.

Andrew Welsh will line up for the Bendigo Bombers against Sandringham in Round 8 of the VFL just three months after his leg was smashed in a tackle during an intraclub match at Whitten Oval.

Andrew Welsh is poised to make his comeback from a gruesome leg injury on Sunday week with the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL.

"Everything's going really well. I hope to be back in two weeks' time," Welsh said.

"This week, I had a bit of a scare. I tore scar tissue off the inside of the ankle. I got the ultrasound yesterday and it all looks fine. There's no new damage, which I'm relieved about."

Andrew Welsh has watched DVDs and tried to conquer Guitar Hero all too often in the past fortnight.

Andrew Welsh has pencilled in a Round 12 return to the Bombers line-up, confident he will recover his leg injuries.

Essendon midfielder Andrew Welsh has had surgery to repair his badly injured leg, smashed in a practice match.

Essendon has been struck a blow ahead of the NAB cup with star midfielder Andrew Welsh being taken to hospital in an ambulance.