Why this AFL young gun will smash barriers in inspirational debut

Port Adelaide young gun Tom Cochrane will become the first AFL player with Tourette’s syndrome when he debuts on Thursday night.

Port Adelaide youngster Tom Cochrane is set to break barriers when he makes his AFL debut against Essendon on Thursday night.

Cochrane, 19, will become the first AFL player with Tourette’s syndrome when he runs out at Marvel Stadium.

Tourette’s is a neurological disorder that causes sudden and uncontrolled vocal sounds and tics.

Port Adelaide youngster Tom Cochrane will make his debut against Essendon. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos.

“I’ve had it my whole life, but it wasn’t as significant early on,” he told AFL.com.au earlier this year.

“When I was nine I started having vocal tics and screaming out words and was really confused.

“It was really hard because I didn’t know what it was. I was in year 3 and was always walking around doing tics and weird movements with my head. I didn’t know what I was doing.

Tom time? Yep, Tom time.

He's in! 🔒 pic.twitter.com/AQRTUArcwa

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“I was at school once and an older student was saying I had Tourette’s and I was like ‘what’s Tourette’s?’. They filled me in on it and I realised that’s probably what I had.”

Cochrane has previously spoken about how he has managed the disorder with medication but says early in life he experienced bullying.

He was selected at No.13 in the 2024 rookie draft and is the son of former Power player Stuart Cochrane.

However, he was selected without the use of the father-son rule.

Originally published as Why this AFL young gun will smash barriers in inspirational debut