Vickery was quick and agile but didn't have much of a leap. As Leysy says, a junior prodigy. Very talented. Kicked 36 goals as a 21-year-old. Never bettered it. Never became a ruck (less then 7 hit-outs per game, never averaged 10 hit-outs over a season). Very accurate kick at goal with 160.87 for his career. Most would agree he didn't fulfill the promise he showed at 21. 200cm. Couldn't jump. Seemed to fall out of love with the game and was finished at 27, an age when most bigs are peaking.
Samson has a big leap, splits packs and is 206cm. Transport him back in time to 2011, would he have kicked 36 next to reigning Coleman Medallist superstar Jack Riewoldt? Maybe. Scoop doesn't see it but Leysy, Jack, Smokin, Ezy, spook and others have noted the eye of the tiger. I think Samson will be peaking at 27 and beyond, which is not to say he won't contribute before then. Will become a ruck but will play mainly forward in any AFL appearance for the next 2-3 years.
I'm wondering. We have to think of Jack as a medium these days. He was never big or quick and the blokes manning him are getting bigger and quicker. He's a slow medium now. A Caddy. We're not going to take many marks inside 50 with just Jack and Tom against May, Lever, Petty and Gawn. Lynch plays his best footy when he gets on his bike. Great runner. Maybe he plays CHF and we see Samson at FF.
Samson needs games. And we might well need Samson.