South Australia hopeful on Dougie Cochrane for National Champs

By ZAC MILBANK

AAMI SA U18 coach Tony Bamford remains hopeful highly-rated utility Dougie Cochrane could make an appearance at the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships.

Cochrane, widely-regarded as one of the nations most talented juniors, has been an active member of the Croweaters camp, appointed as one of four joint vice-captains for the Carnival.

But whether the Port Adelaide NGA prospect – who has been overcoming a knee injury – dons the cherished red guernsey for SA’s title defence will be at the discretion of Power officials.

”Obviously we hope he gets to a position where he is available for selection,” AAMI SA U18 coach Tony Bamford told the Checkside Chats podcast.

”A lot of water has to go under the bridge as he’s had a significant injury. He’s got a lot on his plate and Port Adelaide is doing a great job in managing his rehabilitation and return to play timeline, so we will do whatever is best for Dougie.”

Speaking in-depth on the Checkside Chats podcast about the 195cm versatile athlete, Bamford said the son of former Power and North Melbourne utility Stuart has remained in good spirits around the playing group.

‘He’s a really unique athlete and human being, Dougie,” Bamford said.

”He has shown real maturity and emotional intelligence. He’s great at picking up how people are feeling which makes him such a great leader and a great teammate. He brings a great positive vibe to our program on a Tuesday when he comes to us,  he’s always interactive with his teammates and coaches.

”As a coach, I have lent on Dougie a few times during and after games to get his opinion on what’s working and what’s not working so well for our forward six. In our game reviews, he has quite a bit to say about what we’re doing well and what we can do better, so he’s an invaluable part of our program even if he’s not playing.

”We just keep our fingers crossed that his rehab keeps on going well and he stays healthy and happy and he tracks towards a return to play somewhere in the middle of July.”

In a wide-ranging interview on Checkside Chats, Bamford also provided updates on Port Adelaide’s other two NGA-aligned talents – South Adelaide’s Zemes Pilot and North Adelaide’s Zacky Young, likening the latter to 2004 Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett.

”Zacky has been in and around the NGA program at Port for a few years now so they’re certainly well aware of what he can do as a footballer and where his growth opportunities are,” Bamford said.

”He’s not the finished product but he’s got some weapons that all AFL clubs are looking for – he’s got speed and anticipation, his ability to read the opposition’s ball movement pattern maybe one or two seconds before his opponent makes him a really good intercept defender.

”And he’s got a bit of Byron Pickett about him, he likes to hit blokes and knock them over. He’s got exceptional timing when it comes to striking the opposition at the right time so he’s got plenty to offer.”

Pilot, who is eligible for the 2027 AFL Draft, has undergone knee surgery and has been ruled out of this year’s AFL National Championships as he focuses on his recovery.

”We spoke internally about what’s best for Zemes and we all agreed it was best for him to now focus on his schooling and rehabilitation program under the eyes South Adelaide and Port Adelaide,” Bamford said.

”Hopefully he can get his knee right, come back and play some football for South later in the year and be ready for next year when he’s a top-ager.

”(As a player) he’s just so unpredictable which makes him so dangerous. He’s one of those guys that no matter what he does, he’s good at.

”Basketball, dancing – you should see him dance, he can really cut some moves. He’s just going through a rough trot at the moment so we send him our best wishes and hope he can have a run around later in the year.”