BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Sean Wellman

BomberBlitz – Tell us about the pathway that lead you to Essendon!! Where and when did it all start?
Sean Wellman – It’s a long time ago now! Started playing junior footy when I was living in the country – Tumby Bay, which is near Port Lincoln – tuna fishing area. Dad coached A Grade, and yeah, started there! Then, in my early teens, moved to Modbury and played there, then went on to Nth Adelaide, played some Teal Cup, and was drafted by the Crows when I was 17.

BB – As a kid, who did you follow? Who was your favourite player?
SW – I liked local footy – SANFL – so Port Adelaide was my team, and Craig Bradley was my favourite player – I ended up with a bit of a soft spot for Carlton after he moved there too.
BB – And he was so close to ending up on the Essendon list!
SW – Yeah, very close!

BB – Going back to the trade week in 1995, and you were sitting at Adelaide with Robert Shaw, what was the reaction you felt in being asked to join Essendon in 1996?
SW – Actually I wasn’t sitting with Robert Shaw… heard from him by phone, but he wasn’t there with me. I’d been visited that weekend by Bill Sanders and John Reid, from Adelaide, and they said they were pretty keen to get Jarman to the club, and what would I think about going to Essendon.
BB – The fact that it was Essendon – was that a swaying factor in your decision?
SW – Definitely. They were a team with a proud history, and had been doing pretty well – the first Grand Final I’d been to was actually the 1993 GF – and I’d played against guys like Joey and Mercs in the Teal Cup. So it certainly made it an easier decision.

BB – Who do you think got the best deal out of the three way trade that sent you to Essendon? Do you think it was the greatest trade in AFL history?
SW – It was a pretty successful trade for all clubs concerned, and I think they all would have been pretty happy – all of them got good value out of it! As for who got the best deal… I’ll leave that to others to debate!

BB – If you could have hit one bloke behind play and gotten away with it, who would it have been?
SW – chuckles one player…. Probably Akermanis, but I wouldn’t have been able to catch him!

BB – Who is the best player you played with?
SW – There’s been a few. Hird – not just because of his game, but the ability he’s had to overcome the injuries he’s sustained… if the average footballer had those sorts of injuries, they never would have come back. Lloyd – he plays what can be the hardest position, trying to get the ball with sometimes 2 or 3 players on him. Fletch – people are starting to appreciate just how hard he works. And Michael Long – for how clever he was. Was talking with some other ex-players and we all agreed, he possibly would have been the greatest player ever if it hadn’t been for the knee injuries.

BB – Who was your hardest opponent, and why?
SW – Wayne Carey – he was tough. Played against him when he was in good form, and there were no weaknesses in his game. Richo was a hard opponent too, when he was on song.

BB – What are some of your favourite memories from your time playing footy?
SW – there’s heaps! The friendships that I made… played with some great players, but also the support staff, those in the background. Footy trips – great fun, heading away with 30 other blokes! The 2000 Grand Final is obviously a special one, especially as 99 had been so disappointing.

BB – How has the game changed over the time that you were playing?
SW – It’s more professional – back when I first started, of the 600 guys that were playing, probably 500 of them would have been out on a Saturday night! Now, they’re much more in the spotlight. Paid better, and more accountable. The game itself is quicker – less contest
BB – I heard an interview with Jesaulenko on the radio the other night, and Jezza said he’d only get to maybe one or two games a year nowadays – he reckons it’s become a game of keeps things off
SW – Yeah, I’ve seen some great games this year but I’ve also seen some very ordinary ones… in the 80’s, you had more big marks, tough play – now it’s much more a possession game.

BB – Do you ever let Dustin Fletcher know you’re twice the player he is, at least according to the All Australian selectors?
SW – chuckles all the time! It’s quite surprising really, although I think he might draw level this year. But yeah, I tell him, although he doesn’t believe me. Probably with good reason!!

BB – What was it like to watch Adelaide win their first flag in 97?
SW – It wasn’t great… we had a disappointing year, finished 14th, and I had a couple of good mates playing in the premiership side. Definitely some envy there, which I probably felt right up until 2000. It was frustrating, because people would say “oh, but Adelaide would be your 2nd team” but no, they weren’t, Essendon was my team, my only team.

BB – Do you think Angus Monfries is doing justice to the #6 guernsey? Is it strange seeing someone else wearing no 6?
SW – It’s not strange… and I’m glad it’s a kid from SA who has been given the number. Hopefully he can have a great career – some of the senior players I’ve talked to have said how committed he is, and that he’s got a lot of heart – the signs are there!

BB – Are you and Teddy really good cooks? What’s the utensil of the week?
SW – chuckles I’m a great cook! Teddy – he was just a bunny rabbit, would run around the kitchen and grab stuff for me! And the utensil of the week… well, there isn’t one… Teddy wants to start the show up again, but I’m sick of carrying him!
laughs

BB – The next question someone wanted asked was “Why did you leave us? WHY??????”
SW – chuckles
BB – which actually leads nicely into another related one… Your retirement announcement was rather surprising for most Bomber fans…. many thought you had another couple of years left. When did you first start thinking that last year was the last year? Have you ever regretted the decision since?
SW – No, haven’t regretted it. Probably started thinking about it in mid to late 2003… wasn’t enjoying it as much. Training was becoming a chore, which it shouldn’t be, and I felt like I was losing my competitiveness. Didn’t feel like I was doing justice to my spot.

BB – The next person wanted to say “You were a quality defender. No question lol I just had to get that off my chest!”
SW – chuckles Thanks!

BB – Your commentating skills are excellent, and very analytical. Was the commentating position at the ABC on the cards before you retired?
SW – No, absolutely not. After I retired I went travelling overseas for a few months, and I got a call, and thought, why not! There was no formal training involved, they just threw the headphones on! You certainly learn to appreciate a good game… have had to commentate some real dud games, and you just have to make crap up! Not sure why they asked me; maybe they thought I had a good face for radio! laughs
BB – chuckles Is it hard having to be critical of your ex team mates?
SW – Yeah, it is, but I just try to be honest… be critical but positive, always try to be positive. Having been out there you know how hard it is and that everyone is trying their hardest… you turn on some stations and it’s nothing but negatives.

BB – What other interests do you have apart from footy?
SW – Travelling – that’s a big one. Really enjoy going to new places, learning about new cultures. So yeah, that’s my main one. Otherwise, I like reading, going to see movies, watching sport… I don’t play a musical instrument, so no interests there! What else… play a bit of squash, tennis.

BB – How do you like living in the Fitzroy precinct? Do you still reside on Kane William?
SW – Quite enjoy living in Fitzroy, but I don’t live on Kane William.

BB – Hows your body pulled up since your retirement from football? Do you still keep some sort of fitness up or are you giving your body a holiday?
SW – I gave it a holiday when I first retired, and felt terrible! I still run, go to the gym, try to do something every day. Am resigned to the fact that I’m not going to be as fit as I was when I was playing! And there’s still a few reminders there of some of the injuries I’ve had, which I guess you can expect after playing for 11-12 years… there’s a lot of guys that are worse off than me!

BB – You took off travelling after the end of season last year. Whereabouts did you go? What was your favourite spot? Where else are you thinking about travelling to?
SW – Started off in Vegas, went on to New York, then headed for London. Travelled through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland, where my sister lives. Went on to visit Spain, France, Amsterdam, then stopped on the way back to see the islands off Thailand. Really enjoyed the time in Switzerland, and Spain – would like to go back to Spain during their summer… their food, wine, way of life, was great!

BB – Do you ever get sick of smelly feet?
SW – laughs I think I’m immune to it now! Although if the temperature hits 40 degrees, we turn the air con up!

BB – And a couple of foot questions now! “The balls of my feet hurt when I run/jump around. What do you suggest?” and “How the hell do I get rid of chilblains???? Cos they really hurt!”
SW – chuckles Come and see me!
BB – I was going to ask if I could include a plug for your business! So you’re available on…
SW – I’m starting to do Wednesdays as well now, so Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
BB – and people can give you a call on 9645 7955!
SW – that’s it!
BB – What does cause chilblains by the way?
SW – Warming up cold feet too quickly – people get home, stick their feet in hot water, that sort of thing!

BB – How did you get the nickname “Burger”?
SW – Ate 12 cheeseburgers in a row! It was in Hawaii in 1996. Set some sort of record then!

BB – What’s the last movie you saw that you really enjoyed?
SW – Ummm… that’s a difficult one!
BB – What about your favourite all time movie?
SW – Pulp Fiction! Definitely my all time favourite.
BB – Good choice! What are some other movies you’ve seen lately?
SW – Saw ‘War of the Worlds” a little while back. It was ok, but not great. Would maybe have been better if you were into science fiction, but I’m not!

BB – What was the first album you bought? And the first concert you went to?
SW – “Diesel and Dust” – Midnight Oil. And…. Pearl Jam, in Adelaide, in about… 1990.. no, would have been closer to 1993.

BB – What would be the Sean Wellman theme song?
SW – I have no idea! A theme song….
BB – We can come back to this one if you like!
SW – good idea!

BB – If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
SW – chuckles eating cheese burgers!

BB – Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
SW – Probably… cinnamon

BB – Three words to describe yourself?
SW – Down To Earth!

BB – What is your favourite colour M&M?
SW – Blue

BB – What was the last book you read?
SW – The Da Vinci Code
BB – What did you think of it?
SW – Yeah, enjoyed it, was a good read

BB – Do you think milk should be added to coffee prior to boiling water or after?
SW – Prior

BB – Shorts or pants man?
SW – Pants

BB – Shoes or thongs?
SW – Thongs

OK, have got some word associations for you now!

BB – James Hird
SW – Champion

BB – Adelaide
SW – Quiet

BB – Supporters
SW – Passionate

BB – Soccer
SW – Pussies!

BB – Kylie Minogue
SW – Yum!

BB – Grand Finals
SW – Exciting

BB – Dick Reynolds
SW – King

BB – Gary O’Donnell
SW – Japanese!

BB – Michael Long
SW – Hilarious

BB – U2
SW – Bono

BB – Ted Richards
SW – Can’t cook!

BB – Cats
SW – Gun!

BB – Mark Johnson
SW – Hyperactive

BB – Training
SW – Fun

BB – Kevin Sheedy
SW – Rudolph!

BB – laughing ok, back to that one question – the Sean Wellman Theme Song
SW – Well, I really like REM, so I’ll choose one of their songs – “Losing My Religion”

BB – Excellent! Thanks heaps Sean, this was great!
SW – No worries!

Posted 17 August 05 in News