Power draft bonanza could be headlined by Dougie Cochrane coup
Footy recruiters believe Dougie Cochrane is the clear no. 1 draft prospect for 2026. It’s why the Power are so desperate to have him tied to their Next Generation Academy.
Port Adelaide is increasingly hopeful that an application for Dougie Cochrane to join its Next Generation Academy will be approved by the AFL as the Power eye what could be a draft bonanza over the next three years.
Cochrane, who turned 17 in May, starred in a senior SANFL debut for Central District last weekend as he continues to piece together an eye-catching bottom-age season which has left him as a standout No. 1 draft prospect for 2026.
The 196cm utility — who has featured mostly in attack this year — is the son of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne player Stuart Cochrane and the younger brother of current Power forward Tom.
Stuart wrote to the AFL last year to request that his sons be included in Port Adelaide’s NGA program after the family discovered its Indigenous heritage.
Port Adelaide has been closely working with the AFL on Cochrane’s application in recent months but there is no timeline on when the league will make a call on the matter.
Some recruiters believe Cochrane is a clear No. 1 prospect for next year and there is “daylight” between him and Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker.
Walker is widely considered to be the next best player in the pool after impressing for Vic Country during this year’s under-18 national championships.
Cochrane logged 11 disposals, five marks (two contested) and kicked four goals in a 45-point win over North Adelaide last Saturday, showing some of his freakish abilities in the air and at ground level.
He had missed South Australia’s under-18 national championships campaign with a hamstring tendon injury, but returned for two games in the SANFL under-18s before his senior call-up.
“It was a little unknown if he was ready to step up, but certainly it wasn’t a surprise when he did,” Central District senior coach Paul Thomas said.
“We had an internal trial game earlier in the season where all of our talent hub boys played and he kicked four (goals) in a quarter and sat on someone’s head, so it wasn’t like we hadn’t seen that before.
“He can play most positions with his athleticism and his skills, but I think he’s a natural forward.
“He’s not just running around and happens to be in the right place, he’s actually working with the other forwards. I don’t know if he knows he’s working with the other forwards, but he certainly looks like he’s working with the other forwards.”
Thomas said Cochrane had “something special” and would remain in the Bulldogs’ senior team while his form warranted it.
Mid-sized Glenelg forward Gabe Patterson is another potential top-five pick for 2026, along with Sandringham Dragons forward Arki Butler.
Patterson kicked seven goals in a recent SANFL under-18s match against West Adelaide, while Butler booted five goals in a win over Dandenong in the Coates Talent League last month.
While Cochrane’s NGA eligibility is still to be determined, Port Adelaide also has two highly-rated players linked to it in 2027.
Louis Salopek is a father-son prospect as the son of 121-game midfielder Steven, while Zemes Pilot is an Indigenous talent who is already tied to the Power’s NGA program.
Salopek impressed as an onballer for Vic Country at last month’s under-16 national championships, while Pilot took off for South Australia as a goalkicking midfielder-forward.
The AFL announced changes to 2024 and 2025 draft rules last year, with clubs expecting the league’s new football boss Greg Swann to let the dust settle before making any further tweaks to bidding rules or Academy programs.
This year’s draft is heavily compromised by club-linked talent, with recruiters rating Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast), Dan Annable (Brisbane Lions) and Dylan Patterson (Gold Coast) as top-five talents.
Some rivals also have Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean rated among their top five or six selections.
Originally published as Power draft bonanza could be headlined by Dougie Cochrane coup
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