The Bunyip of 1900 reports that three South players, Perce Crump, Cecil Adcock and Herbert Sampson, were the best three footballers going around in the GFA. Bert Sampson may well have been the best captain also, leading the GFA reprsentative side at this time over a number of consecutive years. He was a history maker.

Originally a Conqueror in 1896, Herbert Sampson made his A Gradae debut in 1897 eventually to become captain of the 1901 and 1902 back-to-back premiership side which comprised some of the greatest players of the time, including Crump, Buchanan, Adcock, Waters. The members of this side, the first team ever to go top in successive years undefeated in the young GFA, all went on record to compliment the captainship of Sampson.

The Bunyip summed up our premiership:
"The best team, undoubtedly, secured the premiership and they deserved their success. All the players turned up regularly for training".
"It is true that they had four outstanding individuals, but it is their team work that has won them a premiership, led by an energetic Captain, Bert Sampson, who also captained the Association team. Much of the success can be accredited to him".

Quite a captain, and quite a player - during a golden era.