Wellman was ranked 59th in the Champions of Essendon in 2002. Following is Wellman’s chapter taken from Champions of Essendon – the book.
A brilliant, hard-running defender, Sean Wellman has become an integral part of an outstanding defensive unit since joining the Bombers in 1996. At the same time, he has provided his younger teammates with great leadership and a good laugh along the way.
Wellman was traded to Essendon in 1996 in a deal that saw Paul Salmon head to Hawthorn and Darren Jarman transfer to Adelaide. It was one of the most celebrated trades in the history of AFL football – and the Bombers certainly aren’t complaining about their end of the deal. Wellman is now a dual All-Australian and a Premiership player. He was also made vice-captain in just his fourth season at the club. His steadiness and reliability either as a key backman taking on a high-profile forward or as a creative rebounder from defence has made him a huge asset for the Bombers.
Ruckman Steven Alessio said Wellman’s ability to play tall or short makes him an invaluable asset. ""His versatility is very important to the side – he can play key position defence or even move up onto a wing. He moves very well for a bloke of his size, and he is always willing to run and create opportunities further up the ground,"" Alessio said.
Former teammate Michael Long said Wellman’s onfield leadership was invaluable. ""His leadership really showed on the field, always honest, reliable and consistent – rarely do you see him get beaten,"" said Long. ""I’d have him in my side any day – his enthusiasm is infectious and he always acknowledges those around him who are doing their job well. He’s a genuine leader.""
Captain James Hird also acknowledged Wellman’s contribution to the leadership group at Essendon. ""He is a player who has really helped hold this team together on and off the field. On the field people look at him and think he is a dour defender but he is at his best when he is attacking and we are able to release him off a player. That is a valuable asset for a player who always gets the first or second best opposition forward,"" Hird said. ""Off the field he is the salt of the earth. He’ll often have the young guys around for tea and have a chat about football – they really look up to him and it is why he is such a good leader.""
Wellman’s leadership doesn’t involve barking orders or berating teammates for making mistakes. Often he will simply look for something humorous to help release the pressure. Make no mistake, football is a serious business, but he recognises that his younger teammates will often perform better if they are relaxed.
Practical jokes are a part of life at a football club. Wellman is often the culprit. Once he called teammate Gary Moorcroft, saying he was from an AFL player management group. He told Moorcroft that he was required for the launch of a new AFL board game at Chadstone shopping centre the morning after a Friday night game. Moorcroft duly arrived for rehabilitation the following morning with his club suit and family in tow, ready for the trip to Chadstone. Wellman didn’t have the heart to see him drive our there and so let him in on the joke. Moorcroft eventually saw the lighter side. ""He’s a great person and a very funny bloke,"" he said.
Wellman is an instinctive footballer who knows his own game inside out. He does the percentage things and helps build the foundations on which victory can be built. He spoils when he knows he can’t mark, and continually puts himself in the right positions around contests in the back half, mopping up and always using the ball effectively.
It is a game that enables him to play on – and beat – the best forwards in the competition. ""I think I play my best footy on the good players,"" Wellman said. ""It is one of those things where if you drop your guard for a moment a good day can suddenly become a bad day so I just try and concentrate and be consistent.""
Sean Wellman:
DOB: 20/9/1974
Height: 193cm
Weight: 89kg
AFL debut: 1994
EFC debut: 1996
AFL games: 209
EFC games: 175
Total goals: 34
Previous clubs: Adelaide Crows
Recruited from: 1995 swap deal with Paul Salmon
Club Honours: Best clubman 1997, runner-up best and fairest 1998, vice-captain 1999 - 2001, Premiership 2000 and Night Premiership 2000.
Other Honours: Played for Adelaide Crows 1994-1995 (34 games), Adelaide Crows’ Best First Year Player 1994, SA representative 1995, AFL Rising Star Nominee 1994, Australian International Rules Representative 1998, SA Team of the Year 2000, All-Australian 1998 & 2001.
