Father, son duo Dylan and Max Sampson feature with Morphett Vale’s B side after family tragedy
A Morphett Vale Football Club four-times premiership great shared the field with his son for the first time on Saturday, with the pair deciding to play on despite a family tragedy occuring 10 minutes before the first bounce.
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Max Sampson had fond memories of running out with his dad Dylan before he lined up with Morphett Vale then watching him in action on the footy field.
Max, now 18, watched on with pride as Dylan won four flags with the Emus and never did he think he would play alongside him in the same team.
But that’s exactly what happened last Saturday — Max and Dylan lined up in Morphett Vale’s B grade side together in the clash against Noarlunga.
The day was made even more emotional because 10 minutes before the first bounce, Max received news that his great grandmother — his mother’s grandmother — had died.
“It was a bit strange because I grew up my whole childhood going out on a Saturday watching Dad play,” Max said.
“To be able to then play a game with Dad is pretty surreal.
“On footy days, I would always run out with Dad before the game.
“Every weekend I was their team mascot, always running out with Dad, kicking the footy with him.
“It was tough getting the news but I still wanted to play and play my best for her (his great-grandmother) and to try and enjoy the game.”
Max is the third generation of footballers in his family to pull on an Emus guernsey.
His grandfather and Dylan’s dad, Geoff Sampson, featured with the club’s premiership-winning sides in 1978-1981.
More than two-decades later Dylan helped the Emus’ A grade to a four-peat in 2004-07 before winning another flag in 2009.
Dylan, 42, retired three seasons ago but was persuaded to pull on the boots again at the weekend due to lack of numbers.
Despite losing to the Shoes by six points, Dylan said it was a day he would cherish forever.
“It was amazing,” Dylan, of Flagstaff Hill, said.
“It was a pretty tough day as well with Max’s great grandmother passing away.
“All sorts of emotions were happening at the time.
“I just said to Max that we are in it together and I’m there for him and we need to try to block it out for the duration of the game.”
Dylan said he was unlikely to play another game this season unless the Emus were desperate for him to help make up the numbers.
But looked forward to cheering on Max from the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
“It’s his time now and I get a lot of thrill out of just watching and supporting Max.”