Former West Coast forward Ashley Sampi has begun his 2008 pre-season campaign after being thrown an AFL lifeline by Melbourne when invited to trial for a position on the list.

Sampi has travelled from Perth in a bid to resurrect his playing future after ending his tenure with the Eagles, where he played 78 games over five seasons, including the 2005 Grand Final.

Sampi is joined on the training track by fellow invitees Alister Neville (Coburg), Shane Valenti (Sandringham), Pete Summers (Sandringham), Daniel Hughes (Melbourne rookie), and Jonathon Simpkin (Sydney).

These players are all vying for a position on the Club's list and are hoping to be picked up in either the Pre-Season Draft or Rookie Draft. 

MELBOURNEfc Football Operations Manager Chris Connolly said, “Ashley, along with the other boys, started on Monday.  We’ll have a good look at them all over the next few weeks to see where they’re at.”

MELBOURNEfc has selections 4, 14, 21, 52, 64 and 70 in the upcoming NAB National Draft, on to be held at the Telstra Dome on 24 November.