PSA footy: Scotch aiming for four-peat under Steve Malaxos as former Docker Chris Mayne makes coaching debut

Scotch College will be hoping for a four-peat of Alcock Cups when the new PSA season kicks off on Saturday against a former Docker who’s making his coaching debut. Coached by WA footy great Steve Malaxos, Scotch claimed a hat-trick of titles last year when they finished one win ahead of a resurgent Wesley College. Malaxos, whose team’s campaign starts at home to Chris Mayne’s Trinity College, has got an excite midfield headlined by West Coast father-son prospect Bailey Banfield and Subiaco colt Oscar Dees. Explosive half-back Jett Sibosado, part of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy, is another who’s expected to get some time in the engine-room. “Our midfield is looking pretty good,” Malaxos said. “We’ve got Sullivan Moody, Oscar Dees, Bailey Banfield and Marco Ghiselli. “Jett Sibosado has had two good years for us at half-back but we want to see where else he can play for us. “Bailey has got himself fit and his ball-handling and stoppage work has improved as well and he’s just improved all-round really.” Catch every game of the PSA season live and on demand at streamer.com.au Guildford Grammar, coached by Anzac medallist and former Collingwood and St Kilda player Mark McGough, was excited about the progression of State 16s squad members Blake Kelly and Dale Sutherland. Skipper Oliver Sills, who’s also the school captain, is a handy utility who’s been a bit of a Mr Fix-It for McGough. “He’ll probably play multiple positions, based on where we need him the most at a particular time,” McGough said. “We used him at centre-half forward last year because we didn’t have anyone else and he did well for us, but his best position is probably half-back so we’ll likely start him there and see how he goes.” Tom Taylor, the younger brother of GWS Giants defender Sam, is another player to watch when Guildford travel to Hale School first up. Hale coach and former Docker Jason Norrish will have a new assistant coach by his side with former student and ex-Essendon forward Nick Kommer coming on board. A trio of Claremont players - captain Ashton Bryant and talls Aiden Riddle and Hamish Davis - will be important for Hale’s chances of winning their first title since 2019, as will WA under-16s representative Otis Harvey. First-year Trinity coach Mayne, a former Fremantle and Collingwood utility, has taken over from Scott Moore who’s currently unbeaten with Perth’s WAFL colts. Marcus Cassidy, Matthew Petagna and Cole Trinder all made the State 16s squad for Trinity, with Mayne also looking forward to another big year from senior players Adam De Masi, Max York and Ben Thomas. “They’ve had stellar pre-seasons and have played some really good footy for their colts teams,” Mayne said. In the final game of the round, Aquinas College host Christ Church Grammar School. Speedster and State 16s representative Caylon Seelander, the son of former Essendon forward Leroy Jetta, has been named for Aquinas after missing last season through injury. Captain Mitchell Keene comes into the season in red-hot touch after a three-goal, 19-disposal performance for Perth colts last weekend. West Coast premiership defender Will Schofield has joined forces with fellow ex-Eagle and head coach Quinten Lynch as one of his deputies. Captain Austin van der Struyf is expected to continue his progress for Christ Church, who also have WA squad member Max Hansen-Knarhoi. Wesley have the bye.