Education
He debuted in 1959 and finished the year in their losing Grand Final side.
He debuted in 1959 and finished the year in their losing Grand Final side.
Sampson played in many positions during his time at Essendon and was particularly strong in the air. In the 1965 decider he played in the forward pocket and contributed two goals. A top class ruckman, Sampson was a key part of the Bombers 1962 and 1965 premiership teams.
He joined Essendon from East Sandringham Juniors in 1958 and had a fine but injury interrupted 100-game career with Essendon.
1965 was Brian Sampson"s year. In that 1965 decider he contributed two goals.
He joined WANFL club West Perth in 1967 and played 50 games, including a premiership in 1969. During his time in Western Australia he represented their interstate team
Brian then trained another 13 other apprentices himself.
Brian"s other passion in life was the art of bonsai and he became acclaimed throughout Australia as a bonsai expert. So ceramics are highlighted throughout Brian"s bonsai art During his last years Brian worked to fulfill his dream of publishing a book of his Bonsai Artist
Aided by photographer and television producer Patricia Matsoukas Ziemer and another Bonai expert, Quentin Valentine, he worked while ill to publish a Bonsai book of his plants "Miniature trees with imagination Aspects of bonsai and penjing".
He played every game, won the Club"s Best Team Player award and played in his second premiership team, starring in the forward pocket and ruck in the win over Street Kilda. Brain"s father was a bricklayer and Brian followed in his footsteps running his own bricklaying business and won the Apprenticeship Commission of Victoria"s Best Overall Apprentice in bricklaying in 1959. One apprentic, Chris Reid, won Homesglen College of Tafe Employer Award for "Best Overall Apprentice" in 1991.
His career was constantly interrupted by knee injuries but he was a member of Essendon"s 1962 and 1965 premierships.
