<h2>Port Adelaide Granted Access to Cochrane - Three Point Summary:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Port Adelaide granted access to potential No.1 draft pick Dougie Cochrane through Next Generation Academy approval</p> <p>- AFL confirms Indigenous heritage verification process completed for talented 196cm prospect</p> <p>- The Power can match any draft bid for the versatile midfielder-forward in the 2026 national draft</p> <p>Port Adelaide has secured access to highly-rated prospect Dougie Cochrane for the 2026 AFL draft after his Next Generation Academy application received official approval on Thursday.</p> <p>It’s a ruling that means the potential top two selections in the 2026 National Draft will already be tied to clubs, with Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker expected to be one of the top prospects in next year's talent pool.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL Approves Cochrane's Next Generation Academy Status</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane's application marks a significant moment for Port Adelaide's draft planning. The 17-year-old's inclusion in the Power's Next Generation Academy program comes after months of verification processes, with the league confirming his Indigenous heritage through proper documentation channels.</p> <p>Cochrane's family successfully traced their Aboriginal heritage to the Ngunawal people, providing the required confirmation of Aboriginal descent certificate to the AFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>The verification process extended over several months as the family explored their cultural background, which had become disconnected over generations.</p> <p>This approval mirrors the 2023 case of Ryley Sanders, whose Indigenous identification process with North Melbourne's Next Generation Academy also required extensive verification before gaining approval in his draft year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Draft Implications for Port Adelaide</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Next Generation Academy approval provides Port Adelaide with crucial draft flexibility for the 2026 national draft. Under current NGA rules, the Power can match any bid placed on Cochrane, regardless of where he's selected - a significant advantage given his status as a potential No.1 pick.</p> <p>The AFL has indicated changes to the bidding system for next year, likely allowing clubs to use two picks to match a bid, with additional controls based on ladder position. However, these modifications won't affect Port's ability to secure Cochrane through their academy access.</p> <p>Stuart Cochrane, Dougie's father, initiated the application process in mid-2024. The former AFL player, who represented both Port Adelaide (54 games) and North Melbourne (50 games), wrote to the league seeking academy access for both his sons as the family explored their Indigenous heritage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Rising Star's On-Field Credentials</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Dougie Cochrane's athletic profile supports the significant draft interest surrounding him. Standing 196cm, the versatile prospect can impact games across multiple positions, including tall defender, midfielder, and forward line roles.</p> <p>His senior SANFL debut showcased his natural goal-scoring ability, kicking four goals in the first half alone. Despite missing South Australia's under-18 carnival as a bottom-ager due to a hamstring injury, Cochrane was previously judged the best player at the under-16 championships.</p> <p>The talented teenager's brother, Tom, has already made his mark at Port Adelaide, debuting in 2024 after being selected as a rookie. Tom showed promising signs across three games, establishing the Cochrane family's growing connection with the Power.</p> <p>With father-son eligibility rules not applying due to Stuart's combined game tally falling short of requirements at either club, the Next Generation Academy pathway provides the optimal route for Dougie's AFL journey.</p> <p>The approval ensures Port Adelaide maintains access to one of the draft's most sought-after prospects, with Cochrane's combination of size, athleticism, and positional versatility making him an early favourite for the top selection in 2026.</p> <p>The call from the AFL will have implications across the league, with this decision as the likely top two selections in next year's AFL Draft will already be club-tied. Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker is expected to be one of the top prospects in next year's talent pool and is already committed to joining the club.&nbsp;</p>