Ashley Sampi's retrospective accolade a "special" recognition 20 years on from wrongdoing

Jarred Cross Published August 14, 2023 at 8.30pm (AWST)

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Ashley Sampi recieved his Glendinning Medal 20 years after being judged best-on-ground in the Western Derby. (Image: The West Australian)

The righting of a 20-year wrong has bestowed former West Coast Eagle Ashley Sampi with a coveted footy honour he was adjudged to have earned while still a teen.

Just a handful of games into his AFL career, Sampi was controversially snubbed when Ross Glendinning overruled a five-person panel to hand the award in his namesake for best-on-ground in the 2003 Western Derby between West Coast and Fremantle to Eagles ruckman Michael Gardiner.

Sampi, then 19, had won the award in the judges eyes with four goals for the match.

Speaking on Fox Sports' Open Mike in 2017, Glendinning admitted he went against the panel without informing them of the decision, "but not in an arrogant way".

"In all honesty I actually thought that Michael Gardiner was the best player," he said on the program.

"It wasn't correct, I get that."

Sampi in action for the Eagles against local rivals, the Fremantle Dockers in 2003. (Image: Jon Buckle/Getty Images)

Glendinning, whose name is pressed on the award for serving as West Coasts' inaugural captain, said he only acted in line with his assessment of the game.

He rejected calls of racism made at the time.

"Though I would say that I definitely made a mistake," he said.

Sampi was awarded his Glendinning medal two decades after his performance at a pre-Derby event on Friday.

The ceremony was announced earlier this year.

He previously told the West Australian the correction would be "special" for himself, children and his culture.

"I've got my kids, and they know what the medal is about. I think it would be special for them as much as me," he said.

Sampi's Mark of the Year against Melbourne in 2004 is considered one of the best in the award's 22-year history. (Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

"Everyone talks about my mark, the Glendinning Medal and how I should have won that and how I should have got a free kick in the grand final… There's a lot of things that get spoken about, but the Glendinning Medal in WA dos get spoken about a lot here.

"Winning my first derby was great for me, it didn't affect me too much that day, but it has afterwards."

Sampi won the 2004 AFL Mark of Year with a grab still considered among the best of all time.

He played 78 games for the Eagles between 2002-2007.

In 2022, Sampi announced he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The medal for best-on-ground in a Western Derby now incorporates inaugural Fremantle captain Ben Allan's surname alongside Glendinning's.