Essendon Football Club today appointed former Premiership player Sean Wellman as an assistant coach.

General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said he was delighted to welcome Wellman back to the Club.

 “We are very pleased to have secured Sean as an assistant coach for the Club,” Hamilton said.

“Following yesterday’s appointment of James Hird at the Club’s senior coach, we have begun the process of putting the best possible coaching group around him.

“We know that Sean will bring a lot of coaching expertise to this group and James was particularly keen to get Sean on board as part of our coaching panel.

“Sean has had wonderful experience at the Bulldogs under Rodney Eade and at Melbourne under Dean Bailey – two coaches that we have the upmost respect for – and we think he will make a valuable contribution to the club.”

Wellman played 212 games for Essendon and Adelaide Football Clubs from 1994 - 2004, as a key position player.

A member of Essendon’s all-conquering 2000 Premiership side, Wellman’s career honours also include All-Australian selection in 1998.

After retiring from the AFL at the end of 2004, Wellman has gained coaching experience as an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne football clubs.