ESSENDON premiership player Sean Wellman has put up his hand to join the club's board, hopeful of playing a part in the Bombers' 17th premiership.
The 43-year-old is looking to fill the void left by Chris Heffernan, who's announced his intention to stand down at next month's annual general meeting.
Having previously helped the suspended Essendon players during their enforced lay-off in an unofficial capacity, Wellman believes the time is right for him to give back in a formal way.
"Me like a lot of Essendon people want to see a 17th Essendon premiership sooner rather than later," Wellman told AFL.com.au late Wednesday.
"I think I can play a small part in that in terms of supporting the football department."
Wellman is confident about the current list's prospects, but believes support and knowledge from board level will be crucial to reaching ultimate success.
"Obviously adding to your playing list and adding to your talent certainly helps," he said.
"But having been involved in football recently, I understand that's just a part of the jigsaw really.
"I mean they're just so difficult to win premierships now.
"The structures you put around your players, the whole football staff and administration is really important to be able to maximize that talent."
The Bombers are back in the black – with a $15million turnaround on their balance sheet – well and truly putting the supplements scandal behind them.
And while Wellman is supportive of the club's grand plans to expand its Tullamarine base, he believes it's important the club puts its people first.
"Your most important resources in a football club is your people really," he said.
"Developing your people and educating them and making sure we continually improve in the way we do things, I think is number one, really."
Wellman is one of eight nominations for two vacancies on the club's board of directors.
He played 178 games for the Bombers, including the 2000 premiership. He started his career at Adelaide in 1994 where he played 34 games over two seasons.
He's currently running his own mortgage brokering firm.
