From the archives... Draft 2001

[scmods]

As I mentioned in the other thread, Rivals don't seem to have bothered to take down the EaglesFlyingHigh website they axed nearly two years ago. So if you fancy a trip down memory lane you can still access it at westcoast.rivals.net.

Here's one of the last stories I did for EaglesFlyingHigh - the 2001 draft.

I'm cautiously optimistic about our pickups - they've turned out OK so far!

Two Sandgropers and Two Vics Picked Up In Draft

By Jeff Scott
Date: 26/11/2001

Four of the best young footballers in the country. Two seventeen year olds, two eighteen year olds. Two locals, two Victorians. Two midfielders, one ruckman, one forward. They're the latest to join the Eagles, from the weekend's national draft.


West Coast pulled an early surprise when they overlooked East Fremantle forward Graham Polak with their first pick. With the serious lack of firepower displayed in 2001 plus the delisting of Scott Cummings, most expected this local talent to be an automatic choice. But instead, the Eagles went for Sandringham Dragons midfielder Chris Judd.

The 18-year-old Judd will give the Eagles plenty of options. He has showed an ability to play anywhere in the midfield from half-back to half-forward, and can contribute goals. As the 2001 Victoria Metro Under 18 captain he will also be seen as a potential on-field leader for the future.

Fremantle were also delighted with West Coast's choice, as they snapped up Polak with the next pick.

The Eagles stayed at home with their next pick, taking South Fremantle's Ashley Sampi, a fast midfielder in the mould of a David Wirrpunda. Sampi comes highly recommended by 2001 South Fremantle coach Peter Sumich, now an assistant to John Worsfold at the Eagles. We can only hope he shows more enthusiasm for West Coast than he did for the draft itself, which he claims to have slept through.

Young West Perth ruckman Mark Seaby was the next choice for the Eagles. At seventeen years, 195cm and 95kg, Seaby will offer support to Michael Gardiner and Dean Cox and, in the longer term, fill the gap left by the retirement of Ryan Turnbull (not that Turnbull has been seen much in the ruck the past couple of years).

Despite speculation that they might pass on their fourth and final pick, which would give them the opportunity to re-draft Cummings next month, West Coast also drafted tall Victorian forward Ashley Hansen.

Which of these youngsters goes on to be an AFL force remains to be seen. History tells us that it is unlikely that all four will be in the Eagles colours in five years time; indeed, it is unlikely that all four will still be playing AFL by then. For now, however, they represent the West Coast Eagles future, and it promises to be an exciting future for them, the club and the fans.

 

[The Passenger]

i think its quite amazing how close Judd went to going at pick number 5, even 6......


Hodge and Ball went first.

had we gone for Polak as most thought we would, Freo would've taken Sampi at 4.

then Judd may have been taken by the Saints at 5, but they still may have gone with Xavier Clarke.

which would've meant we'd take Judd at 6.

Personally, I would rather Judd and Sampi than Judd and Polak (so far) but it's more to highlight that it would've been amazing someone of Judd's talent lasting that long.

 

[sabre_ac]

Originally posted by Black Thunder

Personally, I would rather Judd and Sampi than Judd and Polak (so far) but it's more to highlight that it would've been amazing someone of Judd's talent lasting that long.

Amazing with you would prefer Sampi over Polak.
Especially considering your clubs dier need for Key Position backman or forwards.
Do all other eagle supporters think this way?

 

[scmods]

Why do people keep harping on about WC's lack of forward power?

Last time we had a "proper" full forward (Cummings), we were the lowest scoring team in the competition. With our current lineup, we have kicked a hundred points more than the next best attack.

Back on the point, sabre, we will say we're happier with Sampi because he has performed outstandingly for us (even you would have to concede that). We can only compare that with what Polak might have done had he been at WC - rightly or wrongly, the guy with the runs on the board will always beat the hypothetical.

Bottom line is, the 2001 Draft is one both our clubs can be well pleased with.

 

[Mead]

Originally posted by sabre_ac
Amazing with you would prefer Sampi over Polak.
Especially considering your clubs dier need for Key Position backman or forwards.
Do all other eagle supporters think this way?

Hard to say. Polak is a bloody good young talent, ditto Sampi, they both have a touch of class about them so given our team's relative strengths and weaknesses, yes it would seem that Polak would be more valuable to us than Sampi.

However, the last few weeks I've found myself getting very very excited by Sampi. There are some elements of his game which hint that the best is very much yet to come- he's bloody quick, extremely athletic (was it the second highest vertical leap ever logged at the draft camp?) and has the flawless skills and brilliant footy brain which set him apart from the crowd. He's going to be a very good player indeed, almost to the point where I wouldn't trade him for anyone.
The other thing I would note, is that when you compare a forward pocket to a key position player, the latter will alway be more valuable- that's why they call them 'key' positions. However, Sampi will probably not spend his entire career up forward- rather, I see him serving his apprenticeship there until his fitness allows him to play in the midfield. Sampi the forward pocket is one thing, Sampi the future midfield gun is another. Its worth remembering that once upon a time, Ben Cousins was just a forward pocket player with a bit of potential.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by sabre_ac
Amazing with you would prefer Sampi over Polak.
Especially considering your clubs dier need for Key Position backman or forwards.
Do all other eagle supporters think this way?

Lack of KPP? Our gameplan has adapted nicely to the players we have, and Sampi fits it nicely. I hate people that highlight our 'lack of KPP' when they are not the key to our team. Having said that, a Pavlich, Brown or Reiwoldt would do us nicely (though Gaspar and McDougall look the goods, whilst Seaby, Staker and Hansen look promising in the WAFL).

Sampi has been resposible for kicking the winning goal (vs Roos, rd 13) and sealing an after the siren draw (vs bulldogs, rd11). I'm quite happy with him.

 

[ozzult]

Originally posted by sabre_ac
Amazing with you would prefer Sampi over Polak.
Especially considering your clubs dier need for Key Position backman or forwards.
Do all other eagle supporters think this way?

No.


Well personally, I would rather Polak than Sampi. That isn't to say I'm not happy with Sampi. I'm extremely sexually attracted to the man!

 

[sabre_ac]

Yer I agree with those that said Sampi would play in the midfielder.
From what I have seen of him he doesnt seem to be a specialist forward pocket player and would be wasted if he was just left there.
No doubt the kid has talent but everytime the eagles are beaten they are beaten because they are exposed down back, unable to match up on the key position players or lacking someone to kick to in the forward line.
That said I cant really knock the highest scoring side in the competition now can I.
Though would you all be prepared to admit that eagles are probally at least one good to very good key position player short of winning a premireship just like freo are one good to very good midfielder short?

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by sabre_ac

Though would you all be prepared to admit that eagles are probally at least one good to very good key position player short of winning a premireship just like freo are one good to very good midfielder short?

I wouldnt say we are short of a very good KPP from a premiership because I believe that we can win it all this season. Obviously a Riewoldt, Tredrea, Pavlich etc would almost gift us the premiership, but I believe we can still win one without that type of player.

Sampi v Polak? Sampi has started to look really spppeeecciiialll of late so let's just say Im happy with who we've got.

 

[The Passenger]

it's hard to say who would be better at the eagles - polak or sampi, but given that we have grown to have Sampi as our man, i'd rather him now

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by sabre_ac
Though would you all be prepared to admit that eagles are probally at least one good to very good key position player short of winning a premireship just like freo are one good to very good midfielder short?

Personally I think we are at least one KPP down, but Woosha obviously thinks things are running smoothly as he refuses to play some of the in-form young KPP's running around in the WAFL.

 

[noodle]

Originally posted by Jabber
Personally I think we are at least one KPP down, but Woosha obviously thinks things are running smoothly as he refuses to play some of the in-form young KPP's running around in the WAFL.

maybe the KKPs aren't as good as our smalls.

 

[Goldenblue]

I am happy with Sampi. Everytime he goes near the ball, he is excitement plus.

I missed the good old days of Lewie and Sampi is just as magical to watch.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by noodle
maybe the KKPs aren't as good as our smalls.

Munro and Humm have barely contributed this season, yet continually get called up whenever a spot opens up, yet our KPP who have been in the WAFL all year playing very well by all reports struggle to even get a mention as possible call ups.

In Woosha I trust, but a couple KPP players would add flexibility to the team and make us a bit less predictable.

 

[The Passenger]

Originally posted by daddy_4_eyes
Munro and Humm have barely contributed this season, yet continually get called up whenever a spot opens up, yet our KPP who have been in the WAFL all year playing very well by all reports struggle to even get a mention as possible call ups.

In Woosha I trust, but a couple KPP players would add flexibility to the team and make us a bit less predictable.

i agree with that, Munro i have been very dissapointed with this year.

Humm has shown great tenacity, and I think lifted the team on his own through two acts to get us over the line against the Pies. but apart from that he just doesn't have the skills to play afl footy.