{"id":219769,"date":"2026-08-10T18:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T08:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=219769"},"modified":"2026-08-10T18:40:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T08:40:19","slug":"up-the-grades-cochrane-walker-stand-tall-in-defeats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/08\/10\/up-the-grades-cochrane-walker-stand-tall-in-defeats\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Cochrane, Walker stand tall in defeats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LEADING draft prospects Dougie Cochrane<\/a> and Cody Walker<\/a> showed their class in stat-stuffing state league performances over the weekend. Considered by some as the top two talents in this year’s crop, the pair proved their readiness for higher levels with strong performances in heavy defeats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the debuts kept on coming across the country. There were several more club-tied players who earned exposure via their respective clubs’ reserves sides, including a star bottom-ager tied to Greater Western Sydney, and a livewire small forward in the Western Bulldogs’ sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See how they all fared up the grades.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SANFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2026 SANFL League & Reserves Round 17<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dougie Cochrane<\/a> was the story of the weekend, building on a steady return last week to hit his stride playing in Port Adelaide’s backline. The athletic tall picked up a team-high 30 disposals (25 kicks) in a stat-stuffing performance which included 10 intercepts, 10 rebound 50s, six marks and six tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having shown promise as a key forward and with ambitions to play in midfield, Cochrane has room for exponential growth after a confidence-building performance. He was under the pump, too, as the Magpies went down by 105 points to West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cochrane played alongside elder brother Tom<\/strong>, who is AFL-listed, as well as fellow Next Generation Academy (NGA) hopeful Zackariah Young<\/a> (seven disposals, five tackles). Over-age state squad member Lincoln Pitt<\/a> featured for the Bloods, winning 10 touches and 21 hitouts in his side’s victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dougie Cochrane in Port colours | Image Credit: Matt Talbot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere at League level, South Adelaide prospect Kodah Edwards<\/a> continued his senior stint in a 49-point loss to Sturt. The state Under 18 captain, who has spent plenty of time up forward for the Panthers, gathered 14 disposals and five inside 50s at Thomas Farms Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edwards’ fellow All-Australians Mitchell Harris<\/a>, Jack Slattery<\/a>, Jake Eime<\/a>, and Anthony Long<\/a> all took the field in the clash between Woodville-West Torrens and Adelaide. Slattery was on debut and took little time to find the goals with his lone major. Eime and Long are part of the Crows’ NGA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latter pair were both in their second game at the level, with dashing defender Eime kept to five touches. Meanwhile, Long bagged his first senior goal from a haul of nine disposals. For the victorious Eagles, Harris reeled in three marks throughout another solid performance down back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Richmond father-son prospect Jack Leys | Image Credit: via Richmond Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With Slattery promoted from the Reserves, Woodville-West Torrens blooded Jack Leys<\/a> in the twos. The wingman, a Richmond father-son prospect, was solid with 14 disposals, five marks and a goal in the six-point win over West Adelaide. Bottom-age midfielder Laurence Andriani<\/a> impressed for the Bloods with 18 possessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reserves fixture between Glenelg and Central District saw state representative Jack Gordon<\/a> put himself amongst the Bulldogs’ three goalkickers in a heavy defeat. On the opposing side, over-age Bays prospect Kobe Gibson<\/a> continued his strong form with 23 disposals, nine marks and two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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VFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2026 VFL Round 20<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker<\/a> was back in action for the Blues, showing out in a narrow loss to St Kilda on Sunday morning. The powerful midfielder racked up an equal game-high 29 possessions (22 uncontested), eight marks and one goal as he gave his all amidst a disappointing team effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another club-tied talent, Khaled El Souki<\/a> was also impressive in his VFL debut for Footscray. The Bulldogs NGA member booted three goals from 14 disposals and impressed with his ground level craft, along with his repeat efforts and tackle pressure in a 46-point road win over North Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dandenong Stingrays defender Darcy Szerszyn<\/a> also made his maiden appearance in that match, notching nine disposals, four marks and four intercepts for the Kangaroos. Over at Windy Hill, fellow Vic Country star Clancy Snell<\/a> debuted with nine touches, five marks and four intercepts in Collingwood’s one-point defeat to Essendon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GWS-tied bottom-ager Cooper French debuted in the VFL | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Greater Western Sydney unleashed bottom-age dynamo Cooper French<\/a> against a raft of Gold Coast Academy prospects in Blacktown. The energetic midfielder-forward was terrific, picking up 15 disposals, seven marks and two goals as his side saluted to the tune of 13 points at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Suns, over-ager Cooper Collins<\/a> (24 disposals, 10 marks) led the way while Archie Hill<\/a> (13 disposals, 77 per cent efficiency) and Leroy Kaesler<\/a> (13 disposals, one goal) had their moments. Jake Callinan<\/a> (11 disposals, five inside 50s, one goal) and Isaac Mayne<\/a> (nine disposals) also continue to gain experience at the level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Brisbane successfully raided Southport with a 98-point win at Fankhauser Reserve, with a trio of Academy guns in tow. Allies MVP Caylen Murray<\/a> was busy with 17 disposals and seven marks, while Ethan Duke<\/a> (17 disposals, seven marks, one goal) continues to adjust well to the level. Hawthorn father-son candidate Cooper Hodge<\/a> also held his own with 12 touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lions Academy prospect Cooper Hodge | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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WAFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2026 WAFL League & Reserves Round 18<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young talent time continued over in WA, as All-Australian ruck Benji van Rooyen<\/a> and West Coast NGA member Garrison Kenh<\/a> were next in line to make their League debuts. van Rooyen came up against state captain Leo Steed<\/a> in a 22-point win, while Kenh’s Eagles saluted against Frazer Rickson<\/a>‘s Subiaco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh off a strong Reserves stint, van Rooyen managed nine disposals, four tackles and 12 hitouts in the top flight while Steed had it 13 times. Kenh (15 disposals) caught the eye with his speed and composed ball use, while Rickson (nine tackles, 18 hitouts) was typically competitive in the ruck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming off a scintillating debut, South Fremantle livewire Cameron Maynard<\/a> was a little quieter this time out with three touches, two tackles and a goal as his side was beaten by East Perth. Elsewhere, West Perth forward Harvey Spawton-Guy<\/a> again bagged two goals as the Falcons beat East Fremantle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Harvey Spawton-Guy celebrates a goal | Image Credit: Belinda Taylor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dockers NGA candidate Joshua Nathan<\/a> got stuck in with 12 disposals and 14 tackles in the Sharks’ losing effort. Meanwhile, fellow Fremantle-tied prospect Lucas Robinson<\/a> made a strong return in the Reserves with 23 disposals, six marks, four tackles and four inside 50s against East Perth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with Kenh, Eagles father-son hopeful Noah Braun<\/a> is climbing the grades. The midfielder managed 14 disposals in Claremont’s Reserves loss to Swan Districts. Elsewhere, East Freo pair Cooper Ramsay<\/a> (19 hitouts) and Ben Wood<\/strong> (18 disposals, three marks) continue to string together senior games. Their latest came in a 67-point loss to West Perth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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