hello. Yes, I suppose he could.
What we found at premier league level over winter was the importance of stopping the supply of ball from rocket-heeled wide men in a number of teams. Samson could play on the left or right flank, dependent on where the threat came from, tho was most at home on the right.
They seldom got the better of Samson. Indeed, his ability to completley nullify Alan Pearce -- no slouch -- was highlighted as the critical factor in our premier grand final win, where he was named man of the match.
Coach Steve Williams later called Samson perhaps the most athletic player in domestic football.
Without being disparaging of mathews, who is nice and tidy, I'm not sure he brings quite the same attributes to the table, when a team is looking to nullify an opposing team's major weapon.
I can't recall anyone saying, "I know, we'll put Joel on him".
Still, this is all speculation. There may be completely different reasons as to why Bunce saw Waiakto's most capped player -- even after having a summer off -- as his first choice right back.
But it is the coach's call, at the end of the day.
Bruce Holloway2009-11-04 13:30:45