JUNIOR talent continues to filter up the grades in the back-end of season 2026, with the latest batch headlined by top draft prospect Dougie Cochrane. The Port Adelaide aligned utility made his long-awaited first appearance for the season having been sidelined by knee tendinitis.

While he made his club debut for the Port Magpies, several state teammates were also spotted at senior level. Over in the VFL, a bunch of Northern Academy talents continue to earn state league exposure, while a livewire West Australian forward caught the eye in his maiden WAFL League match.

SANFL

2026 SANFL League & Reserves Round 16

Capable of playing in any position on the ground, Cochrane started forward before being shifted behind the ball in the second half. He finished with six disposals and one mark, praised for simply getting through four quarters after so much time away. Albeit with limited opportunities, his ability to jump at the ball and a huge smother were among the highlights.

Fellow Port Next Generation Academy (NGA) hopeful Zackariah Young also took the field as he presses his draft claims. The competitive defender posted 10 disposals and three rebound 50s in the 70-point loss to Norwood. It was the North Adelaide prospect’s second game at the level after his Round 15 debut.

From Alberton to Magain Stadium, a trio of state stars featured in South Adelaide’s three-goal win over the Crows. Under 18 captain Kodah Edwards once again turned out for the Panthers, notching 13 disposals and 1.2. His versatility to impact in the forward half has been impressive all year.

On the opposing side were Adelaide debutants Jake Eime (14 disposals, three rebound 50s) and Anthony Long (six disposals). The latter is tied to the Crows via their NGA, while Eime looms as the one who got away – slipping through Adelaide’s academy net despite having indigenous heritage.

Along with the Adelaide pair, All-Australian key defender Mitchell Harris made his maiden League appearance on Saturday. The high-marking talent had his hands full in Woodville-West Torrens’ 65-point loss to Glenelg, finishing with 12 disposals, two marks and three rebound 50s.

In the Reserves grade, Eagles spearhead Jack Slattery couldn’t quite get his side over the line against Glenelg, booting 2.1 from 10 disposals and five marks. The Bays fielded Jobe Janeway (32 hitouts) and over-ager Kobe Gibson (27 disposals) in their seven-point win, with the latter leading all comers.

Janeway’s state ruck partner Ethan Herbert once again impressed for North Adelaide, amassing 22 disposals, four clearances and six inside 50s. His side was defeated by Laurence Andriani‘s West Adelaide, though. The prolific bottom-ager contributed 20 disposals and eight tackles.

Elsewhere, Central District promoted defender Jack Gordon for his second stint in the twos. The top-ager made two appearances in 2025 and adjusted well back at senior level to post 15 disposals and eight marks in the Bulldogs’ 95-point home loss to Sturt.

VFL

2026 VFL Round 19

A quartet of Gold Coast Academy products continue to ply their trade in the Suns’ VFL side. Under 18 leader Archie Hill (12 disposals, one goal) was productive, while Isaac Mayne (13 disposals, one goal) also hit the scoreboard. Small utility Leroy Kaesler (16 disposals, five inside 50s) and over-ager Cooper Collins (14 disposals, six intercepts) also contributed well to the nine-point win over Casey.

Brisbane also blooded a mainstay trio of Academy prospects in its 60-point loss to Carlton on Saturday. Ethan Duke was the best of them with 15 disposals (100 per cent efficiency), eight marks and a goal, while Caylen Murray (seven disposals, five marks) and Cooper Hodge (six and four) had relatively quiet afternoons.

Down in Sydney, Jake Medved and Henry Meaney were joined by hard-working midfielder Conrad Blackwell-Smith in the Swans’ reserves side. Meaney booted his first goal at the level, while Blackwell-Smith got busy with 14 disposals and four marks in the 30-point defeat to Tasmania.

Elsewhere, over-age Western Jets defender Jacob Marron made his debut as 23rd man for North Melbourne, picking up 11 disposals and three marks alongside fellow 2007-born prospect Felix Kneipp (16 disposals). Tricky small forward Ricky Theodoropoulos was another 19-year-old to feature at the level, notching nine touches in Sandringham’s defeat to Williamstown.

WAFL

2026 WAFL League & Reserves Round 17

South Fremantle livewire Cameron Maynard was a surprise call-up to the League side and certainly did his reputation no harm. The mercurial forward managed 14 disposals and one goal in the Bulldogs’ 19-point loss to West Coast. State teammate Harper Banfield made his second appearance for the Eagles, gathering 17 touches and booting a long-range goal after the half time siren.

Over in Bassendean, Swans speedster Leo Steed continued on his merry way, picking up 16 disposals and six tackles in his side’s 42-point loss to Peel Thunder. Meanwhile, a struggling West Perth side once again tasted defeat, but not without two goals from emerging key forward Harvey Spawton-Guy.

Over-age ruck Frazer Rickson continued his impressive League campaign with Subiaco, notching 15 disposals, six tackles and 19 hitouts as his side held on against Perth. Fremantle NGA prospect Joshua Nathan also turned out at League level, finishing with 12 touches in East Fremantle’s loss to East Perth.

Meanwhile, All-Australian ruck Benji van Rooyen was a standout in the Reserves grade. He amassed 22 disposals, 17 hitouts and three goals in a real breakout performance for Claremont. West Coast NGA member Elijah Williams also took the field in the Tigers’ 55-point win over West Perth.

East Fremantle had a couple of talls go around again in the twos. Developing ruckman Cooper Ramsay (28 hitouts) featured alongside Ben Wood, who impressed with 16 disposals, 11 marks and a goal. Their side went down by 86 points to East Perth, while things were closer as Jai Debono (16 disposals) and Swan Districts were felled by Peel to the tune of just five points.