The ceremony was designed to rectify a two-decades long error.

That was achieved. But it also dredged the depths of one’s soul reminding Eagles fans of a glorious talent that was largely denied them.

Last Friday, on the eve of the RAC Derby, Ashley Sampi was retrospectively presented with a Glendinning-Allen Medal from round five, 2003. While some members of a selection panel had voted him best on ground, the medal was presented to teammate Michael Gardiner.

So, 20 years later in the Crown Ballroom, Sampi was called to the stage and recognised for a four-goal performance as a 19-year-old.

As he received the accolade his highlights reel was played. It was spectacular. Brilliantly spellbinding.

A captivating, mesmerising yet almost heart-breaking reminder of his sublime talents. Long-serving West Coast Eagles Chief Executive Trevor Nisbett has often described Sampi as the most gifted player to don the blue and gold.

He has seen them all. The Eagles boss is not in the habit of making flippant statements and it would be difficult to refute his assessment after watching the assortment of Sampi clips.

In so many ways the Eagles – and football fans more broadly – were witness to a cameo when they deserved a lead role in a full-length feature. So light on his feet, so devastatingly skilful off both sides of his body.

When the function was complete my mind relaxed for a moment and cast back to fond memories of the adroit Sampi. Of the day he soared above Adem Yze and Andrew Embley to take mark of the year against Melbourne at the MCG in 2004.

Of both the electricity and adroitness around the ball, contrasted with the calm, flawless approach of his set shot goal-kicking routine. He was one of those players who craved the moment and the moment craved him.

It was no coincidence that on a number of occasions with a game on the line, he found the ball in his hands.

There was the game against North Melbourne in round 13, 2003 at Subiaco Oval. On a drenched surface that was as much mud as turf the Eagles led by three points deep into the last quarter.

The ball squirted to centre half-forward where there was a marking contest. It barely had time to kiss the deck and Sampi pounced, collecting it brilliantly with his right hand and in a couple of strides steered a left footed tracer through for a major.

A couple of weeks earlier at the same venue against the Western Bulldogs he converted a set shot from deep on the boundary to secure a draw.

And he tormented Dogs fans in round one the following season when he charged out of a centre square stoppage and sealed a six-point victory.

Sampi was genuinely a special talent. Unfulfilled to an extent because we had a small sample of just 78 games, but it was captivating.

Having replayed in my own mind the exploits of this magical talent, it triggered thoughts of others for various reasons who were denied the chance to fully express their gifts at the highest level.

A few years before Sampi was drafted at pick #6 in 2001 – the same year the club secured the remarkable Chris Judd with #3 – an athletic key position player named Travis Gaspar loomed large.

Like Sampi he was from South Fremantle and Gaspar, too, had all the attributes. He had speed that was superior to most his size, possessed good skills and agility. What he did not have was a body capable of carrying him to the heights he expected.

Gaspar played in the 2005 Grand Final against Sydney. That was the last of 28 games across five seasons at elite level.

A more recent example of a player who was denied his chance to shine is Daniel Venables. A 2018 premiership player he was restricted to just 21 games when a collision from nowhere terminated his career.

That was in round nine against Melbourne when he was collected in a marking contest. He would not be seen in AFL action again.

In many ways he has been a missing piece in the Eagles squad of the last few years. He had blistering speed, innate football intelligence and would have been in his prime right now.

There are myriad stories like these across football – and other sports. Sadly natural ability and commitment do not always equate to longevity.