James Sellar Biography

Former Melbourne and Adelaide defender James Sellar will attempt to revive his AFL career by relocating to the WAFL where three clubs are jockeying for his services in 2014.

Sellar is pursuing a career outside of football in commercial real estate but wanted to play at the most competitive level he could in 2014 to keep his AFL hopes alive.

Five players including James Sellar, Josh Tynan, Troy Davis, Tom Gillies and Tom Couch are delisted from Melbourne.

James Sellar kicks five goals to help Melbourne to a two-point win over the Power in a NAB Cup match and Demons defensive coach Jade Rawlings says the big man's versatility will be an asset to the club this season.

"I was really pleased with Sellar because he's done most of his training down in the backline," Rawlings said.

"He can ruck, he can play key back, he can play key forward, and whilst it'd be great to be able to set him down in one spot, the lay of the land is that you need to be flexible … mentally he's quite strong to be able to absorb that."

Melbourne has re-signed an experienced trio of players including Lynden Dunn, Joel MacDonald and James Sellar.

All three were consistent in the second half of the season and played a role in steadying the ship," Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said.

"They played a particular role at different times that was valuable for the team."

James Sellar says he hopes to be more permanent fixture in the Demons side compared to his time at the Crows.

"My time at Adelaide was frustrating at times," Sellar said.

"I was in and out of the side, particularly the last few years. I think probably my consistency (needs to improve), in all areas of my game, particularly intensity and competitiveness I need to keep working at."

Discarded forward James Sellar is picked up by Melbourne in the 2011 national draft thanks to recommendations by former coaches Neil Craig and Todd Viney who now work at the Demons.

"Neil [Craig] has coached him for the past five years so we did seek his opinion and Todd Viney as well," Melbourne recruiting manager Barry Prendergast said after the NAB AFL Draft.

"We were able to have some valuable insight into James and that helps in making that decision."

New Melbourne recruit James Sellar is good enough to be in the Demon's best 22, according to coach Mark Neeld.

"James is an ex-first round draft pick. He's got five years of experience in the system, and he comes from a very quality club in Adelaide," Neeld said.

"We see him as a player who can step right into the side now. He's a versatile player, who can play key back or key forward and we also have a strong belief that he's just what our list needs right now."

Adelaide has delists four players including former first-round draft pick James Sellar, Myke Cook, Will Young and James Craig.

"It's always a tough time of the year and the club appreciates what these young men have contributed," football operations manager Phil Harper said.

"All four have outstanding character and we wish them all their best for their football careers. But we need to keep introducing new talent to the squad and - after a successful trade period - we now have the opportunity to use the drafts to complete our 2012 list."

James Sellar is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after breaking his hand during a NAB Challenge match against the Magpies in Alice Springs

Adelaide coach Neil Craig praises young ruckman James Sellar's efforts in manning the ruck division with injuries to the Crows' taller ruck options.

"In a lot of ways James has been quite exceptional. This time last year he was playing reserves at Glenelg, so he's had a big turnaround," Craig said.

"In a lot of ways he's boxing outside his weight division because of his height, but I've been really pleased with what he's been able to do."

Adelaide's Kurt Tippett hopes he is able to stay forward this Sunday against Port Adelaide with young ruckmen James Sellar and Ivan Maric manning the rucks.

"I'm happy playing wherever Craigy needs me to play, but I've been enjoying my time up forward," Tippett said.

"James Sellar and Ivan have been playing some good football in the ruck, so I think we'll go with them again this week."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says young key position players James Sellar and Shaun McKernan have earnt their place in the side.

"In the ruck, James is not a super tall guy. He's 196cm and a lot of the guys now are over 200cm, so he'll have his work cut out there but he's addressed some areas that we've been onto James about in terms of work ethic, work rate and competitive attitude," Craig said.

"We're not into giving games away. Shaun has earned the opportunity and the right to play AFL footy.

"We've just got to make sure that we expose those guys when the timing is right and they've earned it because we found last year that, even though Andy Otten and Patrick Dangerfield only played two games, it made a huge difference when it came to the pre-season."

A serious knee-injury to Crows ruckman Brad Moran has opened up a spot for youngsters James Sellar and Shaun McKernan.

"It's disappointing to lose Brad, especially because he's just started to come into some really good form," assistant coach David Noble said.

"Losing any player who is starting to have an influence in games is going to hurt you a little bit but it's up to others to pick up the slack."

"McKernan and Sellar have both been playing some really strong ruck work at SANFL level and I reckon they are ready to play. Shaun's been quite dominant at times in the middle, I haven't seen James as much but certainly the reports from Peter Jonas and Alan Stewart have been very encouraging, about their ruckwork particularly."

Adelaide has lost Brad Moran to injury but fellow ruckman Ivan Maric says he's happy to shoulder more responsibility in his absence and that either Shaun McKernan or James Sellar would be capable replacements for Moran.

"I played against Shaun in the SANFL earlier this year and he's really aggressive and fierce around the ball, which is what midfielders want from a ruckman, especially at the centre square," he said.

"James' centre bounce is pretty good as well, but he's got other strengths like being able to go up forward and kick goals too."