JAMES SELLAR’S new hairstyle is more than just a fashion statement – it’s a good-luck charm.

Sellar’s freshly shaved head was part of a New Year’s resolution, which the 18-year-old hopes will help his AFL career get off the ground.

On February 9, just five weeks after lopping off his brown locks, Sellar’s gamble paid off when he made his debut against Collingwood in Dubai.

“I had a chat with Kris Massie and he said he shaved his head a bit last year, so I said I’d do it on the 1st of January,” Sellar said.

“I wanted to do it as a bit of a change of luck in the New Year. It’s working for me at the moment, so I’ll stick with it.”

Sellar’s debut included three goals in a starring role in Adelaide’s forward line.

“The trip to Dubai was awesome – I loved it,” Sellar said.

“I was lucky enough to get a game at the end of the trip and I made the most of it.”

The former state volleyballer backed up his scorching desert debut with a sliding mark and classy boundary line goal against Fremantle on Sunday.

His impressive early-season form is a welcomed change for Sellar, who endured a frustrating first 12 months at West Lakes.

“I guess a lot of things didn’t go my way last year. I had the groin injury and a few other things, but I guess that’s just part of the job,” Sellar said.

“I was in and out of the Glenelg league side a bit and ended up playing a few games with the reserves, which I guess is not really where you want to be when you’ve just been drafted by an AFL club.

“But hopefully now that’s all behind me and I can look forward to a good season.”

Sellar was one of two Glenelg players taken in the first round of the 2006 NAB AFL draft. Sellar went to the Crows at pick 14, while his good mate Bryce Gibbs went to Carlton at No.1 and, unlike Sellar, had an immediate impact.

“There are always expectations when you get drafted and I was the local boy taken with the Crows’ first-round draft pick,” he said.

“Some people think that you’re automatically going to slot straight into the side during your first year, but unfortunately that doesn’t always happen.”

Sellar, determined to deliver on the promise that once had him touted as a top-five draft pick, worked tirelessly with cycling guru Charlie Walsh and fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt during the off-season.

Coach Neil Craig said the 195cm and 90kg forward had come a “long way”, both physically and mentally, since arriving at West Lakes.

“His pre-season has been fantastic compared to what he’s done previously and I couldn’t have asked any more of James,” Craig said.

“He’s starting to mature mentally and he’s taken on board the work ethic and commitment required to become an AFL player.

“His body shape is changing. He’s done everything asked of him and his performance against Collingwood was very, very good.”

Craig said Sellar’s last two NAB Cup performances would determine whether the long-time Crows supporter would make his AFL debut in round one.

“It’s a 22 game season plus, hopefully finals for us, so it’s a long season and it’s a big ask for an 18-year-old to be able to front up and play good consistent football for that period of time,” Craig said.

“But at the moment, James couldn’t have done any more than what we’ve asked of him.”