Likely No. 1 draft pick Dougie Cochrane cleared to join Port Adelaide a year early
Port Adelaide has secured exclusive access to highly-rated prospect Dougie Cochrane for an entire season before he enters the 2026 draft as the predicted top pick.
The potential No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft has been cleared to play for Port Adelaide’s SANFL side full time next season and spend a full year in the Power’s football program prior to being drafted.
The AFL approved the Power’s application for Dougie Cochrane to join its Next Generation Academy last month.
This gives the Power access to the 196cm utility in next year’s draft, where he is already being touted as the likely first pick.
But Port will also have Cochrane, the brother of current player Tom and son of former player Stuart, available for the Magpies’ entire 2026 SANFL campaign outside of national carnival and AFL Academy commitments.
Port head of academies Shane Grimm said this will allow Cochrane, who turned 17 in May, to spend a year in an AFL program before he is drafted.
“We believe having Dougie as part of our football program full time next year will maximise his development in his draft year,” he said.
As part of concessions afforded to Port and Adelaide from the SANFL the two clubs can have NGA and father-son prospects play for their state league teams for four weeks after the under 18 national championships.
But in the case of Cochrane, who starred in his senior debut for Central District this year, it had to be cleared by the SANFL in a meeting last week to allow him to spend the entire year at Alberton.
Central District chief executive Greg Edwards said the decision was made with Cochrane’s best interests in mind.
“We couldn’t and didn’t want to hold Dougie against what he wanted to do,” he said.
“The rules allow him to make that move if he wanted to, if he wanted to play for Centrals or play at Port.
“But at the end of the day Dougie is preparing to play AFL footy, we fully understand and support that.
“He is a terrific young kid, the family has deep roots at Centrals and we are happy to let Dougie get the best out of himself next year.”
Cochrane has been at Alberton rehabbing a knee injury and it is expected he will do some training with the Power this pre-season.
His future teammates were well and truly put through their paces at training on Wednesday.
Before the main session began they were put through a 2km time trial.
Willem Drew took it out, ahead of Jack Watkins – who triumphed last year.
New recruit Jacob Wehr finished third as he looks to lock down a wing spot, while defender Lachie Jones and forward Darcy Byrne-Jones rounded out the top five.
Coaches have put greater emphasis on improving their fitness this summer, with Power players completing extra running in between drills each session.
Captain Connor Rozee and Miles Bergman impressed in the runs on Wednesday, while train-on Jaidyn Stephenson stood out in drills.
The former Collingwood and North Melbourne forward’s speed and kicking stood out.
Again he was one of the last off the track when the session ended as he did extras with coaches.
Logan Evans was also impressive during the Wednesday session, having burst onto the scene last year after being picked up in the mid-season draft.
The 20-year-old had an inconsistent 2025, getting dropped on multiple occasions, but his tackling and gut running stood out at Alberton as he looks to bounce back in 2026.
Originally published as Likely No. 1 draft pick Dougie Cochrane cleared to join Port Adelaide a year early
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