Dougie Cochrane, the 195-centimetre swingman touted as the No.1 pick in next week's AFL draft, has said he was 'a bit shocked' by the league's April rule changes that make it harder for clubs to match bids on high-end father-son and academy prospects.
Cochrane, who qualifies for Port Adelaide's next generation academy through his Indigenous heritage, had been expected to join the Power, with Essendon expected to bid at the top of the draft and Port Adelaide set to match. But in April the AFL announced new rules limiting clubs to using no more than two picks when matching a bid, a change Cochrane said left him worried for a week or so that he might not get to Port Adelaide, the club he supported growing up.
"I was a bit shocked when that came out midway through the year because I didn't think they could change the rules midway through the years because it stuffs up every club, to be honest," Cochrane said. "I was a bit worried for a week or so [that I would not get to Port Adelaide] because I didn't really understand the rules until my manager had a chat to me about it."
The teenage swingman, compared to former Port Adelaide utility Chad Cornes, has been sidelined for most of the season after undergoing knee surgery for patella tendonitis. He returned for four SANFL appearances late in the year and said he was grateful to be playing again.
Cochrane's father, Stuart, played for the Power and North Melbourne, but not enough games to qualify his son as a father-son selection. His older brother Tom was rookie-drafted by Port Adelaide in 2024 and has played six matches. Cochrane said it would be 'unreal' to play for the club they supported growing up.
Despite the hype, Cochrane said it was nowhere near that of the No.1 pick of 2023, Harley Reid. "No way. He was crazy in his draft year," he said. "[Being the No.1 pick] comes with a bit of pressure, but I don't mind. Obviously, it would be a good achievement, and I'd love to go No.1. But there are that many players in the draft, so it's rare that the No.1 pick is the best player."
Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps described the new rules as "brutal and unprecedented", while Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker's father, Andrew, slammed them as "ridiculous". Scouts cite Cochrane's positional flexibility; his athleticism, kicking and marking are also strengths, and he can impact the game at both ends and through the midfield.
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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedCochrane is likely to be the No. 1 pick in next week's AFL draft.The Age - Latest News: “Port Adelaide’s next generation academy prospect Dougie Cochrane will be this year’s No.1 pick.”
- SupportedThe summary says Cochrane is expected to be the top selection despite new restrictions on matching bids.The Age - Latest News: “Essendon are expected to bid on Cochrane at the top of the draft, but Port Adelaide will match without hesitation”
- SupportedCochrane said he was “a bit shocked” when the rule change came out.The Age - Latest News: ““I was a bit shocked when that came out midway through the year because I didn’t think they could change the rules midway through the years because it stuffs up every club, to be honest,” Cochrane said.”
- SupportedCochrane said he was worried for a week or so that he might not get to Port Adelaide.The Age - Latest News: ““I was a bit worried for a week or so [that I would not get to Port Adelaide] because I didn’t really understand the rules until my manager had a chat to me about it.””
- SupportedCochrane said it would be “unreal” to play for the club he and his brother supported growing up.The Age - Latest News: “But it would be even more special to play for the club that we supported growing up – it would be unreal.””
- SupportedCochrane said of Harley Reid, “No way. He was crazy in his draft year.”The Age - Latest News: ““No way. He was crazy in his draft year,” Cochrane said of Reid.”
- SupportedCochrane said being the No. 1 pick brings some pressure, but that he would welcome the achievement and still had to work to become the best player he could be.The Age - Latest News: ““[Being the No.1 pick] comes with a bit of pressure, but I don’t mind. Obviously, it would be a good achievement, and I’d love to go No.1. But there are that many players in the draft, so it’s rare that the No.1 pick is the best player. I’ve still got to work hard to be the best player I can be.””
- SupportedPort Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps described the new rules as “brutal and unprecedented.”The Age - Latest News: “Power list boss Jason Cripps similarly described them as “brutal and unprecedented”.”
- SupportedCody Walker’s father, Andrew, slammed the rule changes as “ridiculous.”The Age - Latest News: “Walker’s dad, ex-Blue Andrew Walker, slamming the changes as “ridiculous” in May.”
- SupportedThe new rules include a limit preventing clubs from using more than two picks to match a bid.The Age - Latest News: “including not being able to use more than two picks.”
- SupportedCochrane is 195 centimetres tall.The Age - Latest News: “no one who matters has forgotten the 195-centimetre swingman’s promise.”
- SupportedCochrane was sidelined for most of the season after knee surgery for patella tendonitis.The Age - Latest News: “Cochrane has mostly been unsighted this year, because of a knee injury that required surgery”