Ashley Sampi doing preseason with Demons

[Demons 32 235]

I would like to see a switched on Sampi at the club. He is an amazing talent. But is one of those, if his head was right.

People who making the liking to Pickett are wrong though. There are differences.

Pickett cost us 300,000 a year and pick 22.

Pickett was 28-29.

Pickett had behaviour problems.

Sampi will cost us 56,000 a year and either a pick after 40 in national draft or pick 3 psd.

Sampi is 23.

Sampi didn't have bad behaviour but instead told the club he was leaving to go home as he felt deeply depressed by his cousins death.

As bad as it seems that he walked from the club, he was supposedly very close to his cousin. If someone so close to me died. I might not have wanted to show up to work either.

[mo64 5,853]

I would like to see a switched on Sampi at the club. He is an amazing talent. But is one of those, if his head was right.

Agree. Definitely worth a punt. I see him as a creative back pocket or hbf, which is something we seriously lack.

[nomed 113]

Sampi didn't have bad behaviour but instead told the club he was leaving to go home as he felt deeply depressed by his cousins death.

Umm, please see http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18322666-2,00.html

Threatening people with a knives isn't bad behaviour?

I think there was an alcohol component to his behaviour as well.

His Dad, Chris Sampi been on TV over here in Perth a few times. I think he is a school teacher in Geraldton, I believe he is anxious to see his son do well. The quote I recall is him saying he didn't want Ashely to walk away from the AFL, as its a chance in a lifetime, and one that he thought he would regret in later years.

Ashley Sampi always seems well spoken in the media as well, so I dont think he's a dill, just another young guy unsure of what he wants from life.

Interesting to note that Aaron Davey is mooted as the person to guide him. Clearly club ghas a high opinion of Aaron now he's a little older as well.

[w00dy 146]

there is a great upside to him if he gets himeself right... and they club aren't going to go out and blow a top pick on him... we will have a look at him with our 4th selection (pick 50 something), and unless something falls through that low which CAC likes the look of, like a bartram, then I think we will take him... if someone else takes him before us, then good luck to them...

[brey9186 102]

i love this idea, he would be in the best 22 (once "fit) and rotating with davey between the forward pocket and midfield/high hff would add some spark and pace to things (plus is capable of a screamer, another chance for our best chances at glory - mark and goal of the year :D)

and if things dont work out, its not as if we have traded nathan jones for him, all he is doing is replacing byron on the list!

and if we draft cyril rioli at pick 14...

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I would like to see a switched on Sampi at the club. He is an amazing talent. But is one of those, if his head was right.

People who making the liking to Pickett are wrong though. There are differences.

Pickett cost us 300,000 a year and pick 22.

Pickett was 28-29.

Pickett had behaviour problems.

Sampi will cost us 56,000 a year and either a pick after 40 in national draft or pick 3 psd.

Sampi is 23.

Sampi didn't have bad behaviour but instead told the club he was leaving to go home as he felt deeply depressed by his cousins death.

As bad as it seems that he walked from the club, he was supposedly very close to his cousin. If someone so close to me died. I might not have wanted to show up to work either.

Smartest post yet...

Basically those dot points (not the cousin stuff) are why we are seriously looking at him. 23? That makes him a target for ANYONE. I was VERY skeptical at first, as I see any player with a chequered past as suspect... but I'm slowly being won over. And it has NOTHING to do with his mark... where he should have given Yze the car.

[davey_magik 1]

To be honest I have no problem with him training with us. In fact I think it is a very good move.

Bailey won't take crap from him, he'll make Sampi show he wants to play AFL footy again and if he does want to, he's got a lot of talent and would be a very nice addition to the side.

He's not a defender though, I don't know where these people are getting that from. He's a small forward akin to Flash, with slightly less pace but IMO more overall natural ability, and I think Flash is a very talented player.

On the Davey role model thing, let's hope he doesn't show Sampi how to deal with the opposition when you lose your temper.

[Yencks 8]

what excites me is that for the first time in a while, we have good insider info from a range of clubs..freo, south freo, port adelaide etc, which will help us make a lot of good decisions concerning players from those areas.

[astrodee 0]

To be honest I have no problem with him training with us. In fact I think it is a very good move.

Bailey won't take crap from him, he'll make Sampi show he wants to play AFL footy again and if he does want to, he's got a lot of talent and would be a very nice addition to the side.

He's not a defender though, I don't know where these people are getting that from. He's a small forward akin to Flash, with slightly less pace but IMO more overall natural ability, and I think Flash is a very talented player.

On the Davey role model thing, let's hope he doesn't show Sampi how to deal with the opposition when you lose your temper.

Before he went to the Weagles he played most of his footy as a mf or hbf. He also believes he is a far better defensive player than offensive. He also says that he's 4kg heavier than 2004, not AFL fit, but happier than he's been in 2 years and raring to go. I have no doubt he'll train his arse off - literally. As well as his gut.

[deanox 9,898]

regarding the psd, is it just me, or do players who are border line generally end up at the clubs they nominate in the psd? if that a courtesy thing? or is it pure chance? obviously if judd went it would be fair game, but for so so players who train with a club, they seem to go to the team that invites them and then asks to get them dont they?

[Brocky For President 0]

hey how old is sampi????

[The Fergburger 0]

hey how old is sampi????

23 now.

24 as of January next year

[deanox 9,898]

...A 23yo strong defender...

...make a 23 year old ...

...It makes sense to throw in a few 21-24 year olds, and in that way at least, Sampi fits the bill...

...He is still only 23...

...Sampi is 23...

...we are seriously looking at him. 23? That makes him a target for ANYONE...

hey how old is sampi????

i think someone mentioned he was 23?

[deestroy08 0]

:D A laugh I needed to have before my English exam.

Thanks Deanox!

[Redleg 40,843]

i think someone mentioned he was 23?

Got me chuckling as well.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Deanox... You're a card.

[Deano74 156]

Picking Sampi is a good punt, i feel theres nothing to lose only everything to gain.

[Luck Lucy 0]

i think someone mentioned he was 23?

I think this Wikipedia article mentions he's actually 24 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Sampi

[stretch marks 2]

i think someone mentioned he was 23?

has he ever had any fitness issues?

[Redleg 40,843]

I think this Wikipedia article mentions he's actually 24 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Sampi

AFL season record lists his birthdate as 21/1/1984. Someone has got day and year wrong.

[Brocky For President 0]

woops that would be my bad i thought sampi was like 30 or something hahaha woops

[Madness 44]

AFL season record lists his birthdate as 21/1/1984. Someone has got day and year wrong.

Yep according tot he AFL Prospectus 2007, he is 23.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

Yep according tot he AFL Prospectus 2007, he is 23.

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/TheClub/.../2/Default.aspx

Sampi's Player Profile is still on the Weagles site which records his date of birth as DOB: 1984-01-12.

On that basis he will be 24 the first time he ever pulls on a Melbourne jumper in an official match if he's in fact drafted.

And right now, he's ... wait for it ... 23!

[demonsflag555657 3]

Wow im 44 and will be 45 next year.

[Adzman 2,154]

WCE culture might have had something to do with the lack of application shown by Sampi. The eagles have talent ooozing form every corner, but the old school hard work and strict player management are no part of the WCE culture. Maybe if he gets in with Bailey's system, he will find the motivation and desire he lacked at the eagles.

I think too much pressure is applied to Aaron Davey to be the big brother. ANy influence Aaron has on Ashley will be postivie, Aaron is just that special person who can leave him amrk on anyone. But will Aaron have enough time and energy to work on his one game and Sampi's?

I see this as a Motlop Mach2. It is low risk, and if it could help us, why not. I am just hoping Sampi can bring to our team what motlop couldn't.