‘He’s a warrior’: Inspiration behind No.1 pick fancy as lid lifted on ‘crazy’ AFL Draft reality — Dougie Cochrane Q&A;

Dougie Cochrane is in a “unique” situation as Port Adelaide prepares to match a No.1 pick bid on him next month, but he’s “grateful” for the opportunity to live out a childhood dream at the club he grew up supporting.

And while there are several at the Power who’ve helped him acclimatise to life at Alberton, it’s his “incredible” father who’s had the most influence on him.

Watch every match of AFLW LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports.

In a 20-minute one-on-one chat with Foxfooty.com.au, Cochrane reflects on his footy journey and when it became real, as well as his “unique” experiences with Port Adelaide and all that comes with being the projected No.1 overall draft pick.

WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF DOUGIE’S DRAFT YEAR

Ben Waterworth: So, here we are at the MCG, Dougie, and you’re with all your fellow draft prospects. Does it start to sink in that your life might be about to change a fair bit?

Dougie Cochrane: Yeah, it is a bit crazy, isn’t it? Looking up to the Draft Combine as a little tacker, and then when you’re actually in it, it’s a bit surreal. But it’s good to see all the boys and all the talent here. There’s a lot of talent, and they’re all pretty good players, so I’m pretty stoked to be here, and I’m pretty grateful as well.

BW: I spoke to Jack Pickett, and I normally start these interviews by asking how you reflect on the year, and for Jack and yourself, that’s a bit different. So how do you reflect on 2026?

DC: Yeah, it’s a bit different and unique, the spot we’re in, just because we probably missed most of the year, which wasn’t ideal. Everyone wants to play footy, especially me. I love my footy, and I just want to play. You don’t realise how much you miss it until you’re actually out of it, if you know what I mean. I missed it a lot this year, but you’ve also got to have a life outside footy. It was good to spend time with family, friends and the people I love around me who supported me. But also the off-field stuff like the gym; I was in there most days trying to get my body right, so there were some positives if you want to look at it that way. But it was definitely a challenging year, but it just makes you stronger.

BW: What was the hardest part about watching your teammates play? What point of the year was the toughest to take?

DC: Probably the Champs, definitely, just because I missed out on them last year as well. I was pretty excited in the pre-season because I thought I was going to play in the Champs this year, and obviously my good mates were there, so I was looking forward to that. When I couldn’t play, I was disappointed. But it’s just footy and injuries, isn’t it? Injuries happen in sport, especially footy. So I just knuckled down on what I needed to do to get back playing, and that’s what I did. I was lucky enough to get four games in as well, which is the main thing. I got a little taste of it in the new colours, so that was a good experience.

AFL draft whispers unpacked | 02:51

BW: What was it like running out for the first time in the prison bars?

DC: I played four games with the Maggies. They weren’t the best four games because we lost by a fair bit each time, but it was still a good experience to run out with those boys and some good mates. It was a bit different to the Centrals colours, but it was a good experience, and it was a bit unique; I was privileged and grateful to put on that jumper. I’ve grown up supporting Port alongside Centrals as well, and it was good to play with that team last year. It was also a bit weird playing against Centrals in the last game and seeing guys like Aiden Grace and Paul Thomas, who have been massive for me in my junior career. Farewelling them as a Port Magpies player was a bit of a weird one, but it was still good.

BW: Any cheeky sledges from any of your opponents that day?

DC: Not quite. Gracie loves to talk a bit of smack, but they were all pretty good. It was good to have a chat with them after the game, go into the rooms with them and catch up. It was good to see some old friends back there.

BW: Do you feel like the role you played behind the ball in those four games was a nice way to get back into competitive footy?

DC: Definitely. We didn’t really have anything to play for at that point. Our season was sort of done by that stage, and we didn’t have finals to look forward to. I think the coaches just said, ‘Mate, enjoy it. You’ve missed most of the year with a knee injury, so just go out there, get your hands on the footy and enjoy it’. We weren’t playing for a grand final, so there was no real stress about it. They told me to have fun and play with my mates, and that’s what I did. I played behind the ball, got a bit of a kick, and it was some good fun.

WHEN IT ALL STARTED BECOMING REAL

BW: Let’s go back a couple of years. When did you think an AFL career was a genuine possibility for you?

DC: That’s a good question. Since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to be an AFL player. It’s always been the goal, looking up to all my idols at Port; they were like superheroes to me. But it didn’t get too serious, and I didn’t really think about it until the under-16 championships, maybe. I had a pretty good carnival, and I was thinking, ‘Gee, this is actually a real possibility - I can make it to the top level.’ So I’ve just worked hard ever since, and I’m grateful for where I am right now. It should be exciting times ahead.

BW: I was talking to Heath Mellody, who didn’t even play in the under-16s and now could be a top-five pick. How satisfying is it that you were able to perform well in the under-16s and, despite missing some footy over the past two years, it’s actually set you up really well for the draft?

DC: Yeah, it has; it’s a unique spot, isn’t it? Look at Heath — he’s a gun. I wouldn’t say he’s a late bloomer, because he was around the mark last year, but he’s had a phenomenal year this year. I get along well with Heath, and he’s a good player. It’s been unique for me as well. I played pretty good footy in the under-16s and under-17s. I still think I’ve got plenty to improve on, though, and I obviously want to work hard and improve myself at an AFL club, wherever that might be … I’ve just got to work hard and win games of footy.

BW: What did you do well in the under-16s, and what sort of belief did that give you going forward?

DC: I played the whole year down back in the under-16s, so I was getting my hands on the footy and intercepting the ball. I’d played a bit of ruck, a bit of forward … I felt like playing forward in 15s and my whole juniors; having that different role down back gave me the belief that I could play anywhere. I have that versatility, and it made me confident that I can play wherever the coach or team needs me. I just want to help the team and others around me as well.

BW: When was the call made to take it really easy in 2026 because of your knee injury?

DC: I was dealing with it a little bit at Centrals last year, but I didn’t really think anything of it. I had a couple of weeks off in the off-season last year, but it kept getting worse and worse. By the time I did a 2km time trial, I felt it a little bit there, and then got back into training and Port said, ‘Nah, you can’t do this, mate, just take it easy and get it right so you don’t have to worry about it in the future’. So that’s what I did; I spent the whole pre-season in the gym, waiting to see if it would get better, but I could still feel it a little bit. So they did a little clean-out on it, put two little keyholes in my knee and a little clean-out in the fat pad on the patella.

BW: What month was the surgery?

DC: March, so just as the season started. It was a bit of a bummer, but I had to sit back for a bit and then just kept going from there, working hard.

INSIDE ‘UNIQUE’ PORT REALITY

BW: You’re in a unique situation because if the same thing happened to Harry van Hattum, it would be the Northern Knights making the call, and maybe the school would be involved as well. In your case, Port Adelaide is driving the call. Do you realise you’re in a pretty cool and unique situation?

DC: Exactly. I’m in a very unique spot, and I’m very lucky to be where I am right now. I’ve got the best of the best looking after me, and it feels a bit surreal. It’s a bit crazy how well they’re looking after me and how well they operate. I’m very lucky to be in their hands; they’ll do everything right to make sure I’m back playing footy, and that’s what they did.

BW: Who from Port Adelaide has been your biggest support, guiding you through this year?

DC: I would say probably ‘Reeva’ (Port’s forward-line assistant coach Darren Reeves) was good for me. Mitch Georgiades and Jack Whitlock, I was watching a bit of footage of them and how they went about it; they’ve all been good. I don’t really have one particular person; they’ve all been really good and have wrapped their arms around me and made me feel welcome. I can’t single one person out because everyone’s been good.

BW: Just before last year’s draft, I think it was confirmed you were eligible for Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy. What was that experience like for you?

DC: That’s another unique one. I don’t think it was approved until September last year, so I was preparing for the open pool and was prepared to move interstate if that was the case. But we looked into our heritage and found something dating back to Dad’s mum’s side of the family. We thought we had something there a while back, but we didn’t really look into it until two or three years ago. It was approved, so it’s something I’m still learning about and want to keep learning about. I’m proud of who I am, and that’s who I am; that’s not going to change. I am who I am, and that’s it.

Tigers land pick 5 in huge pick trade | 00:44

BW: Of all the clubs in the AFL, Port Adelaide’s Indigenous program is one of the most highly respected. How cool is it to be going to Port Adelaide from that perspective?

DC: Very cool. A lot of boys have come through that program, like Lachie Jones, Jase Burgoyne and Jason Horne-Francis — I don’t want to name everyone because I’m sure I’ll miss a couple. But they’re all absolute guns, and the way they’ve handled themselves has been so good. I came into the club last year and had a meeting with some of the Indigenous boys. They spoke to me about their backgrounds, and it was pretty cool to see how they’d found out about their heritage. And now I’m learning about mine, so it’s pretty cool that we have something in common.

BW: Who’s the Indigenous liaison officer at Port?

DC: Sean Lemmens is the NGA person there, and Mark Clayton does a bit of work through that as well. They’re the two people I work with.

BW: How big have they been for you?

DC: They’ve been massive for me. I love speaking to both of them, and I speak to them quite a bit throughout the week. They’ve helped me a lot, and I’m very lucky to have them. They’re absolute legends.

‘Clayts’ also does some work with the state, so I see him probably more than ‘Lemmo’. But they’ve both been enormous for me and the people around me, including Zackariah Young and the other Indigenous boys coming through. They’re great role models and leaders, and good blokes as well. That’s the main thing.

‘INCREDIBLE HUMAN’ BEHIND DOUGIE’S RISE

BW: Outside of those guys at Port Adelaide, who have been some of the biggest influences on your footy journey so far?

DC: Definitely my dad (Stuart Cochrane), 100 per cent. He’s been enormous for me throughout the journey because he played for Port, played for North Melbourne and coached at Port Adelaide. He knows a lot about footy and gives me advice. If I have a bad game or a good game, he lets me know whether I’m doing things well or badly and keeps me grounded. I take a lot of feedback from him and learn a lot from him. He’s been enormous for me; just talking to him, he’s an incredible dad and an unbelievable human. Even the things he’s been through with his health are quite incredible, and he’s still going. I’m so grateful and lucky to have someone like him in my life. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

BW: Just remind me what your dad’s gone through health-wise.

DC: Dad was diagnosed with leukaemia, a blood cancer, in 2018. He was dealing with that for two or three years and was pretty close to being a goner, so he’s been through a lot of challenges in his life. He still needs a bit of treatment these days, but he’s a lot better than he was before. He’s a warrior, Dad, and an incredible human. He’s a legend.

BW: So, if that was in 2018, you were about 10 or 11 years old. Your older brother was a couple of years older. How big was that for you? You were probably at an age where you were starting to comprehend what was happening and realise there’s more to life than just footy.

DC: Yeah, exactly. They were very scary times for us boys. We understood it a bit, but we didn’t fully understand it at the time … Credit to our family, especially Mum and my nan and pa. They’ve been massive for us, looking after us and making sure we’re okay while Dad was in hospital. Dad’s incredible, and everyone who knows him would say the exact same thing. He’s a great human.

THE ‘RUTHLESS COMPETITOR’ POWER ARE GETTING

BW: If someone hadn’t seen you play before, Dougie, how would you describe yourself as a player?

DC: I’d say I’m a versatile player with a good kick, a good kick at goal, and I’m agile for my size. I’m a good mark as well.

BW: And playing all three parts of the ground?

DC: Yeah, I think versatility is a strength.

BW: Where do you have the most fun playing?

DC: Probably the forward line, just kicking goals. It feels more natural to me up forward, but also back, and I want to play in the midfield, and even the wing. I love it all. I just want to play footy and games of footy.

BW: Have you had any indication from Port about where you might start your AFL career?

DC: They haven’t really said. I started forward and then went back this year, so I’ve spoken to ‘Carry’ (coach Josh Carr) a little bit about it. He said maybe forward or back, but I don’t think he’s too sure at the moment. Even the wing, maybe, but I’m not too sure. It’s up to him, and I still need to prove myself in training this off-season. I need to work hard and earn my spot.

BW: How much have you had to do with Josh Carr this year?

DC: He’s been good for me. I had to learn the game plan a little bit this year, as everyone did, so it was good to see how he thinks about the game and what he wants us to do as players. It was good to learn those fundamentals and foundations, but there’s definitely more learning to do. He’s a good bloke, ‘Carry’, and I’ve spoken to him a lot during the end part of the season about my game and what I need to improve. He’s been really good.

'Compromised' draft to cause chaos? | 05:44

BW: A lot of the feedback from our Fox Footy callers is that he’s set a really strong defensive foundation for the team going forward. Can you see that?

DC: Definitely. He’s massive on team defence and the roles everyone has to play. It surprised me at this level just how much the team defends as a whole. But it’s not just the defenders — everyone has a role. That’s definitely one of our strengths.

BW: I’m sure you weren’t listening to Trade Radio yesterday, but Jason Cripps essentially confirmed Essendon had you number one on their draft board and were preparing to take you at pick one. What’s the past 24 hours been like, and how much is that realisation starting to kick in?

DC: I had a couple of media interviews yesterday (at the Combine), and they mentioned it. I didn’t realise what they were talking about because I didn’t see it. But by the second or third interview, I thought it had probably been said, but I’m not too fussed about it. I’ve been dealing with it for more than two years now, so I don’t mind the pressure. I like it. But whatever pick I go at, I don’t care. If it’s pick one, pick 10 or pick 50, I’m just going to contribute to whatever team I go to and try to win games of footy. That’s my main goal. I just want to win games, win finals and win flags.

BW: Has anyone from Essendon officially reached out to you since that report?

DC: No, not since then. I’ve had a couple of meetings with them, but I’m not sure how that’s going to work. They haven’t formally told me anything, but I don’t really care what happens. I’ll just let it sort itself out.

BW: Last one. In five years’ time, hopefully you’re still in the AFL. What do you want the AFL world saying about Dougie Cochrane?

DC: I just want them to say I’m a ruthless competitor who works hard and is a good team man — a good teammate who cares about people and makes those around him better. And that I win games and win flags. That’s what I want.