PSA footy Hale School preview: Conrad Williams, Aiden Riddle, Harry Cole, Callum Smith, Alex Perin and more

Hale coach Jason Norrish is hopeful his team can cover for several big losses when their new season gets underway against Guildford this weekend. Hale finished fourth last season with a 7-5 record but will be without last season’s captain and fairest-and-best winner in Neil Erasmus, who was drafted by Fremantle in the top-10, and fellow graduated guns State 18s squad member Mitch Barron, classy forward Richard Farmer and AFL Academy member Sam Gilbey. Norrish is happy with how the squad is shaping up but admits goal-kicking could be their biggest issue. “We probably don’t have a Shane McAdam or someone like that who can kick a big bag of goals,” Norrish said. Year 11 Aiden Riddle, who recently made his colts debut for Claremont, will lead Hale’s ruck department with Alex Condon leaving for an AIS basketball scholarship in Canberra and fellow big man Alex Perin sidelined in the early rounds with an ankle injury. Speedster Conrad Williams, midfielder/forward Harry Cole, who will captain the side, and Riley Disisto are also back from Tigers colts duties. “Harry will be mainly as a midfield but rest up forward,” Norrish said. “His colts stuff so far has been good and he’s been able to kick goals.” West Perth colt Callum Smith will slot in across half-back again, while Year 11 Rudy Webster has been playing at South Fremantle. Year 11 Hamish Davis has been in good form during the pre-season up forward after an injury-interrupted couple of years with back issues. Norrish is expecting Scotch College to be the benchmark once again as they go for a hat-trick of Alcock Cup titles. Hale School 2021 record: 7-5 (4th) 2021 best and fairest: Neil Erasmus (graduated) Captain: Harry Cole Coach: Jason Norrish Players to watch Conrad Williams: A silky-skilled winger with pace to burn. Loves a long run on the outside. Part of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy. Aiden Riddle: A Year 11 ruckman who’s already debuted for Claremont colts. Moves around the ground well and will shoulder the ruck load for Hale in the early weeks with Alex Perin sidelined. Harry Cole: Another one from Claremont colts who’s shown exciting form in the early rounds. Can hit the scoreboard and also find a lot of the footy in the midfield.