Ashley Sampi, one of the most gifted players ever to pull on the blue and gold of the West Coast Eagles was today recognised for an outstanding performance two decades ago. 

The livewire forward produced a remarkable display in a 2003 Western Derby kicking four goals in a performance considered by a selection panel to be the best of any player on the field and deserving of the Glendinning Medal (now the Glendinning-Allan Medal).

West Coast Eagles inaugural captain, Ross Glendinning, thought ruckman Michael Gardiner was best afield and announced the star big man during the on-ground ceremony.

Interestingly, both Glendinning and the other selectors got it right, because the match committee had 19-year-old Sampi and Gardiner sharing the votes in the Club Champion voting.

Sampi was presented with his long-awaited medal by Glendinning at a special Derby lunch at Crown today.