Australian Football

Sean Wellman began his league career with two games for North Adelaide in 1991, but he was then forced to miss most of the 1992 season with a back injury. He bounced back with a solid 1993 season and elicited the attention of the Adelaide Crows. Wellman embarked on an AFL career with the Crows in 1994, performing solidly as a key position player. He played 34 games and kicked nine goals in two seasons with Adelaide before moving to Essendon, where his career blossomed.

Strong, assured and resolute, Wellman developed into one of the best and most consistent defenders in the competition. In 1998, he ran second in the Dons' best and fairest award, and he enjoyed another excellent season two years later when he was a key contributor to the club's premiership win.

When Essendon lost the 2001 Grand Final to Brisbane, Wellman was one of his side's best players. He achieved AFL All Australian selection the same year, having previously also earned the honour in 1998. He retired at the end of the 2004 season having played a total of 178 AFL games and booted 25 goals for the Bombers.

Author - John Devaney