Dougie Cochrane's application to join Port Adelaide's Next Generation Academy as an Indigenous player is approved by the AFL.
Dougie's father, Stuart Cochrane, a former player at Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, wrote to the League in the middle of 2024 requesting his sons be given access to Port's Next Generation Academy program as the family explored its Indigenous heritage on his maternal side. Throughout the process the AFL has worked with Port on the steps of the approval while his application has been pending.