CENTRAL District star Dougie Cochrane continues to set the SANFL Under 18 competition alight in his bottom-age campaign, breaking through for a six-goal haul on the weekend. Showcasing similar traits to fellow number 30 Charlie Curnow, the dynamic 194cm utility is firming as a top prospect for next year.

>> SCROLL to see Cochrane’s highlights

Cochrane, who was the Kevin Sheehan Medallist at last year’s Under 16 National Championships, is the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide player, Stuart. While not father-son eligible for either club, Dougie will also look to follow in the footsteps of elder brother Tom, who was rookied by the Power.

Having shown elite qualities down back in state colours, Cochrane has largely featured up forward for Centrals, booting 11 goals in four appearances this year. His athleticism has also allowed for increased midfield exposure. We put Cochrane’s Round 4 masterclass under the Player Focus microscope.

Central District, South AustraliaTall Utility

Dougie Cochrane

Height: 194cm

Weight: -

DOB: 02-05-2008

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 SANFL U18s: Round 4
Central District 18.8 (116) def. South Adelaide 12.9 (81)

#30 Dougie Cochrane (Central District)
Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 6 goals

A week after Tom Cochrane's AFL debut with Port Adelaide, his younger brother Dougie has shown why he is a big shot as the No.1 pick next year.

The 2026 draft prospect kicked 6.2 from 20 disposals today for Central District's U18s side. He's still 16. Sheesh. @AFLcomau

— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) April 5, 2025

FIRST QUARTER:

Cochrane made a hot start to proceedings, marking seemingly everything that came his way and booting two first quarter goals. He was Centrals’ main avenue into attack, able to react quickest to the play ahead of him and gain separation on the lead when presenting up to centre half-forward.

Everything Cochrane touched seemed to turn to gold in the early stages. He bagged the Bulldogs’ first major with a purely struck set shot from just inside 50m, before wheeling around and slamming home another from outside the arc just under 90 seconds later. Five minutes hadn’t even ticked over.

He was then thrust into the centre bounces where he looked a little less natural, particularly at ground level, but was difficult to contain with his speed and agility in open play. Cochrane went on to produce a pair of goal assists, marking strongly before using his booming kick to hit targets deep inside 50.

SECOND QUARTER:

Starting in attack before brief stints at the centre bounces, Cochrane continued to utilise the wide-open leading lane at centre half-forward. He again kicked his goals in quick succession, adding a third and fourth within five minutes of each other as Centrals began to mount a strong lead.

His first blemish was a 55m shot on the fly, but he made amends with two accurate set shots later in the quarter. Cochrane ventured a little deeper for those chances, judging the flight of the ball well to mark relatively unopposed and drifting forward dangerously when utilised in midfield.

THIRD QUARTER:

The third was Cochrane’s only goalless quarter, which coincided with South Adelaide winning the term 3.0 to 3.3. Cochrane attended three of seven centre bounces, increasing his volume in the middle. He proved not to be a first possession winner, but rather a secondary receiver who could use his pace to burst away from congestion and break the lines heading forward.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Centrals needed a response after South cut the margin to 16 points early in term four.  Enter Cochrane, who again kicked consecutive goals as the Bulldogs went on a decisive streak to seal the result. It came despite continuing to spend plenty of time in midfield, attending five of seven centre bounces.

The bottom-ager looked dangerous on the move, bursting out the front of stoppages and kicking an unbelievable goal for his sixth. He latched onto a handball receive and jetted off, taking two bounces before slotting it from 55m.

That came after he juggled a mark at the top of attacking 50 and slotted another long-range set shot, proving incredibly reliable with his conversion. It only compounded his impact and ensured Central District would get full value from his damaging possessions over the course of four quarters.

SUMMARY

It is crazy to think that Cochrane is still 16-years-old given how dominant he looks against players nearly three years his senior. There may be some reluctancy to label him as a pick one contender so far out from his draft year, but the hype is there for Cochrane and he looks a special player with his mix of traits.

The versatile and athletic utility looks destined to crack a senior berth at some point over the next year, and his ability to play in each third of the ground will make that transition easier. He could slot in as an interceptor and distributor down back, or maintain his role as a high-impact marking forward.

What’s more, at over 190cm with terrific speed and aerial ability, Cochrane has the potential to further develop his midfield craft. He’s the type of prospect whose upside is immediately evident to recruiters and they will undoubtedly enjoy watching him progress into a top notch talent in the near future.