LEADING draft prospect Dougie Cochrane has stuffed the stats sheet in his second game back from a long-term injury layoff, further proving his pick one credentials. Capable of playing in any third of the ground, the Port Adelaide-tied talent filled his boots in a besieged Magpies backline.

While Cochrane’s side was thumped to the tune of 105 points on a sodden Richmond Oval, the 18-year-old did his reputation no harm en route to collecting a team-high 30 disposals. He took the field alongside elder brother Tom and fellow Next Generation Academy (NGA) hopeful Zackariah Young.

In a steady return last week – by his lofty standards – Cochrane was swung to defence late in the piece and began to find his feet. That was where he permanently posted up on Sunday, entrusted with the kick-in duties and given the license to roam as a loose interceptor across the back half.

We put his performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> Up the Grades: Cochrane, Walker stand tall in defeats

Port Adelaide, South AustraliaKey Position Utility

Dougie Cochrane

Height: 195cm

Weight: -

DOB: 02-05-2008

STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Kicking
+ Speed
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Durability
– Strength

2025 STATS:

2025 SANFL League (5 games)
10.2 disposals | 3.8 marks | 2.0 inside 50s | 2.0 goals (10 total)

2025 SANFL Under 18s (8 games)
17.6 disposals | 6.0 marks | 3.8 inside 50s | 1.9 goals (15 total)

FROM THE EXPERTS:

“Big Dougie is a unique player who can play in all three zones of the field. As a top-age U16, he showed he can play behind the ball and read the play to get into the best positions to intercept the ball. Last year, he made his SANFL League debut playing as a forward. He is coming off an injury interrupted season last year and is still working on preparing his body for the demands of elite football.” – SA Under 18 coach Tony Bamford via SANFL

>> Race to #1: Dougie Cochrane (South Australia)

PLAYER FOCUS

2026 SANFL League: Round 17
West Adelaide 19.14 (128) def. Port Adelaide 3.5 (23)

#48 Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide)
Stats: 30 disposals (25 kicks, 70% efficiency), 6 marks, 6 tackles, 10 intercepts, 10 rebound 50s

FIRST QUARTER:

Cochrane was into the action immediately, flying high to intercept West Adelaide’s first forward-50 entry from the opening clearance. He went on to reel in an intercept mark soon after, again showcasing his athletic leap and long reach up on the wing.

But as West Adelaide began to turn the screw and the heavens opened, Cochrane’s mettle was tested. Test number one saw his arm pinned in a tackle close to goal, with the ball spilling out for Westies to score. Not long after, he coughed up a kick-in which led to another Bloods goal.

Despite the stifling conditions, it was clear Cochrane intended to back his foot skills and had the support to do so. He filled his boots with plenty of kick-in opportunities and gained confidence by persevering through errors. Any chance he got, he showcased his greatest strengths – aerial ability and kicking.

SECOND QUARTER:

The ball lived in West Adelaide’s forward half during term two, again providing Cochrane plenty of opportunities to show out. He was given the license to play loose as a spare man in defence, using his playreading ability and athleticism to impact contests in the air and at ground level.

As he continued to dust off the cobwebs with a waterlogged pill, Cochrane began to execute his expansive kicking choices and elevated his physical application. One of his best plays was a triple effort inside defensive 50, splitting the aerial contest before applying pressure and a diving smother.

While he invited pressure at times, the talented teen made some of his kicks look effortless and was borderline casual in the process. On the flip-side, he showed intensity when opportunities to intercept emerged and made aggressive decisions with and without the ball.

THIRD QUARTER:

While the volume of Cochrane’s output began to slow in term three, he still managed to produce promising moments. His growing confidence was evidenced by how he continued to leap for his marks, attempting to pluck the ball from back position on a tough day for aerialists.

On the rare chance, Cochrane ventured up the ground to set up across a high line and help Port Adelaide lock the ball in its attacking half. He leant on his mobility to arrive as an outnumber and also closed in for a terrific lunging spoil deep in defensive 50. He was a difficult man to avoid.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Keen to run out the game strongly, Cochrane signalled his intent with a crunching holding-the-ball tackle early in term four. After that chase, he further showed his speed with a strong attack on the loose ball before taking ground between the arcs.

The only real worries for Cochrane revolved around the conditions. On a dry day, his intercept attempts would have stuck more often. Instead, he managed to split a bunch of aerial contests. The goalsquare he was kicking in from also gave him grief, as the lines were replaced by mud. It was diabolical under foot.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

While the stats are impressive, and it is scary to think, but it seems Cochrane is still building towards his best. The conditions were stifling to say the least, so his willingness to go for his marks and kicks so confidently was impressive. With some good form under his belt and hopefully drier weather in the offing, perhaps we’ll get to see Cochrane show out up forward and even earn a run in midfield. He is well poised to make up for lost time in Port Adelaide’s final two games and if there was any doubting his top-end talent, there is no more. He’s a freakish, unique talent.