Some obvious points coming up, but they need making. Rugby League is a shambles. There is no money in it.
Many “fans” seem to be unconcerned with anything more than 5 miles from their home. Super League clubs are allowed to play in dirty and ramshackle grounds. There is very little in the way of career progression, as some teams have little or nothing in the way of academies. Most club sponsors seem to be small local businesses, as they have always been. I don’t think much has really changed since I started watching in 1966. I’m not trolling here, there are many individuals in the game who are talented and work incredibly hard, but the general parochial attitude means they get nowhere. The Aussies have a structured development path. Also,In the USA, I lived in a small town of 25,000 people just outside Memphis Tenn some years ago. The high school played (American) Football on Friday nights and 10,000 people came to watch. There was something for everyone to get involved with, players, band, cheerleaders, ground staff, admin, food vendors etc etc all being volunteers. For the best players, there was progression to College football at various levels, and for elite College players, the professional leagues. They had a structure. When I was in Texas just before the pandemic, there was the same set up. The funny thing is, I’m not particularly a US football fan, but I’m an admirer of their structure and organisation. Will RL ever get near this level of organisation and structure?
Not long as humans have a hole in their bottoms, I suspect.

And the QF. The lad has got talent let's see if he can cut it in the NRL if, and when, he gets an opportunity. It is a massive step-up.

Going to the nrl didn't do Roby any harm but if he had gone I'm quite sure that he would have been an even better player.
I think that the same would apply if Welsby doesn't go.
It's a bit of a cliche but to be the very best you have to compete with the very best.
Maybe Welsby doesn't think that he has to "prove" himself? As you say he is only a young guy and with time on his side so no need to jump too soon particularly if he is enjoying himself at Saints.

NRL clubs are probably rubbing their hands at the fact they could get him cheaper after he didn’t have the best WC.

It did, it cost him a fortune.

Just got back in from an evening with Mal Meninga at Saints. Interesting that when he was asked who the next Aussie superstar to come through is he didn’t really want to comment.

However unprompted he turned the conversation to England and said Welsby and Pearce Paul were two outstanding talents. He confirmed that the NRL will 100% come knocking for Welsby and that KPP is definitely going there in 2024.

He also said he thinks Welsby will do really well over there (if he goes)