Port Adelaide will have exclusive access to 2026 Pick 1 fancy Dougie Cochrane after the AFL granted his application to be included in the club's NGA.
Cochrane is shaping as an early selection in 12 months time, and will likely follow in the footsteps of his father, Stuart, as well as his older brother, Tom, who currently plays for the Power.
According to AFL Media, Cochrane and his family were able to verify their Indigenous background, with the league ticking off all the requirements needed to reach an agreement.
Stuart Cochrane played 54 games for Port Adelaide between 2003 and 2005, which followed a stint at North Melbourne (1998-2002), where he featured 50 times for the Shinboners.
Tom was drafted as a rookie by the Power last year and played three games in his debut season at the Alberton club.
The highly-touted teenager has already trained at Alberton, and made his senior SANFL debut in August, booting a game-high four goals for Central Districts.
He would play a further four games at the state league level as a 17-year-old, kicking another six goals as he registered at least one major in each showing.
An untimely hamstring injury meant Cochrane didn't feature at the U18s National Championships; however, his form for Central Districts' juniors has placed him ahead of the pack a year out from his draft.
Playing as a forward target or a tall midfielder at 196cm, Cochrane averaged 17.6 disposals, 6.0 marks, 3.8 inside 50s and just under two goals per game in the U18s for the Bulldogs.
Cochrane experienced a similar fate to Western Bulldogs gun Ryley Sanders, who was added to North Melbourne's NGA late in 2023.
However, in that year, the Kangaroos weren't able to match a bid on him, with the AFL introducing a freeze on the top 40 picks, allowing the Bulldogs to swoop.
Whilst Cochrane is vying for the fated Pick 1, Carlton father-son jet Cody Walker is also in line to be the first name called out in 2026.
The pair are now tied to clubs and could be the first two names selected next year.
