WELLMAN, Sean

Sean Wellman came to Essendon from Adelaide at the end of 1995, in a deal that saw Paul Salmon transfer to Hawthorn. He was the Best First Year player at the Crows in 1994 and represented his state in 1991 at Under 17 level. Wellman played 34 games, and kicked 9 goals for Adelaide before coming to Essendon. He was a solid defender who usually played centre-half-back, but could also play up forward when needed.

Wellman was awarded Best Clubman in 1997 and also came fourth in the Crichton Medal with 185 votes.

Wellman matched the best forwards in the game in 1998 and his great play was rewarded with All-Australian selection and a tour of Ireland, he was also runner-up to Damien Harwick in Essendon's Crichton Medal.

1999 saw another rock solid performance from Wellman, playing in 22 matches for the year at centre-half-back.

He was used in a variety of roles throughout 2000 and was a valuable member of the winning 2000 Grand Final team.

Wellman continued to be a reliable and solid defender playing 23 games at Essendon in 2002 and 20 games in 2003.

He played 12 games in an injury-effected season in 2004 but was still named Best Clubman, reflecting his popularity within the Club, despite his subjecting many of his team-mates to his notorious practical joking.

The Club tried hard to keep him playing in 2005, but he retired at the end of the year saying he'd had enough.

Wellman spent several years as an assistant coach, first at the Western Bulldogs and then at Melbourne, before returning to Windy Hill as an assistant to James Hird in late 2010 until 2012. He also had his own podiatry clinic. He also served as a Club director from 2017 to 2022.

Sean Wellman was named at number 59 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).