The Soaring

2001 National Draft

The number 2 all-time best Eagles draft is the 2001 draft.

#3 Chris Judd
#6 Ashley Sampi
#22 Mark Seaby
#38 Ashley Hansen


There is a tendency in reviewing the past to over-estimate the recent past at the expense of the distance past because of the strength of its memory. Modern drafting is a very difference game from the drafts of the late-eighties and early nineties and is now a far more exact science. But that is not to say that there are any guarantees in the drafting system, with innate talent spotting and a fair degree of luck need to translate a selection number into a valuable cog in a successful team.

So why is 2001 rated so highly?

1. All four players are key players in the 2005 Grand Final team, and played key roles in that side’s successes.
2. All four players still exhibit considerable potential to improve significantly before their careers expire
3. This draft can be considered a four out of four player success, thus far. History shows how rare this is
4. Generally considered a strong draft, the Eagles’ performance in this draft is still considerably better than some sides from that same draft
5. Chris Judd. ‘Nuff said.

Let’s examine the draft player by player.

Chris Judd. There really isn’t much you can say about this man, that hasn’t already been said. In his 4 seasons Judd has won a Brownlow medal, a club champion, and a Norm Smith medal along with a swag of other accolades and recognition.

But coming into this draft the popular perception was that Judd was not on the Eagles drafting radar, with local boy Graham Polak favoured to be taken with number 3 selection. It seemed inconceivable that we would go with the Victorian midfielder with 2 recently reconstructed shoulders over the gun Key forward prospect.

Perhaps the dark days of the Judge reign had infected the average supporter with complete negativity towards the ability of the club officeholders to make competent decisions, but Judd did not fall into our laps, it took an inspired selection to look past the patchy junior record and injuries and turn that number three selection into one of the club’s finest ever players.

On the basis of this selection alone, 2001 rates as one of the greatest drafts in club history.

Ashley Sampi is probably the biggest question mark to come out of this draft at this point. The first three in 2001 have gone on to become bona fide gun players, whereas curiously, the next three Polak, X. Clarke (St Kilda) and Sampi have yet to assert their stamp on the game. Having said that, Ashley Sampi is no dud.

In his four years in the competition, Sampi has played mainly as a half forward / forward pocket with very occasional bursts on-ball with his form ranging from the sublime to non-existent. For all that his figures do look surprisingly consistent year to year having played 66 games for 85 goals. But it is as a player with considerable “x-factor” that Sampi’s worth is truly seen, his career thus far is a study of giddy peaks.

He arrived in round 5 2003, his 8th game, and 4 goals 3 against the Dockers in a high intensity derby in what many considered (Ross Glendinning aside) a best on ground performance. Round 11 that same year Sampi soared across a forward line pack and pulled down a typically spectacular mark. More spectacular though was the context, time expiring and the team 6 points down. Following the siren Sampi went back and slotted it to deny the Bulldogs and scrape out a draw.

Round 1 2004 Sampi receives the ball at CHB and with Chad Morrison in tow runs through the center of the Phone Dome, to 50m, and bangs through the sealing goal to deny, once again, the Western Bulldogs. Round 7 2004, vs. Melbourne at a half reconstructed MCG, Sampi stands on the heads of Paul Wheatley and teammate Andrew Embley to take probably the best ever hanger by an Eagles player. Rightly wins mark of the year.

Round 2 Wizzer Cup, Darwin. Sampi revels in his pre-season fitness to destroy the Magpies single-handedly in the first half with 4 goals and some lightning work in close. Qualifying final 2005, Subiaco vs Swans, Sampi snaps the sealer to break the Swans’ resolve sending the crowd into a frenzy mach 50.

For all the highlights, the question remains where to for Ashley Sampi. Possesses all the attributes of a top level AFL footballer, but the small forward is a tough role to reprise week in and out. For mine, I think a rotating midfield role - aerobic fitness permitting - would do the trick to lift Samp’s into the upper echelon.

Mark Seaby was taken at 22 in 2001 draft. If that draft was re-done today I suspect he would go top 10. Still very young in ruckman terms Seaby has in the past two years come on to show encouraging consistency in backing up All Australian ruckman Dean Cox. What’s more Seaby has shown a penchant to rest in the forward line and take a monster pack mark, using his tall frame, long arms and one touch skill to good effect. 13 goals 5 return in 2005 is primarliy a function of kicking from the square after one such mark.

Already an adept player in ruck, Seaby capacity to improve is considerable after just 36 games since debuting in round 4 2004. With Dean Cox ahead of him the potential for Seaby to spell Cox and then rest in the forward line is a considerable weapon in the Eagles’ arsenal and should not be under-estimated. Whilst Cox is fit and firing, we may not see the best of Seaby for some time, but as he improves so too will the potency of the Eagles’ onball division. Potential 10 year player.

Ashley Hansen is the late bloomer of the 2001 draft but 2005 showed that whilst injury have set him back in terms of his career getting underway, they have in no way diminished the impact a fit Hansen has on the team. The break out year of 2005 saw Hansen go from no name WAFL forward, to West Coast Eagles grand finalist Center Half Forward.

Hansen’s key attributes are his marking out front and overhead and his ability to compete and recover with second and third efforts. This was expertly demonstrated when in round 2 2005, his eighth game, Hansen dominated the highly rated Geelong defence to finish with 11 marks, 20 possessions and 4 goals 1 from CHF. The result was not so much due to incredibly displays of personal brilliance as it was smart football, tight skills and, the old Worsfold chestnut, a desire to outwork your opponent.

There have been a number of player’s who have successfully completed one season at the top level, and yet have not gone on with it thereafter. I’m hoping that Hansen is not one of those players, but with a healthy body and increasing experience he will continue to play the most difficult position on the ground in the blue and gold with aplomb.

The 2001 draft, 4 seasons down the line, looks to be a 4 out of 4 successful draft. All players showing the potential to play many years at the top level and surpass 100, 150 and 200 games milestones. But then again, it is only 4 seasons gone and there is plenty more football to be played before these players bow out. I’m hopeful they will bow out sometime in the 10’s with a handful of premiership medallions and plenty of memorable games. But it hasn’t happened yet, and so this draft is not yet number 1 in the all-time best Eagles’ draft list. That will be next….