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Essendon intends to use their number one pick to bid on Port Adelaide academy star Dougie Cochrane. Port list boss Jason Cripps expressed frustration over complex AFL draft rules that complicate the trade process involving players like Sam Marshall and Zak Butters. Cripps noted that the club is facing unprecedented challenges due to the league's discretionary changes to regulations.
to bid their prized No.1 pick on son-of-a-gun Dougie Cochrane as their list boss expressed frustration with the AFL’s changes to draft and trade rules.
Essendon’s top pick holds intrigue, with Port next-generation academy prospect Cochrane, the son of former Power player Stuart Cochrane, and Carlton father-son gun Cody Walker among the best players in this year’s draft.
“We are planning for Dougie to be bid on at one. Yes, I am happy to share that Essendon has told us that as well,” Power list boss Jason Cripps told AFL Trade Radio on Thursday.
“But from a planning perspective, we’re planning the bid for Dougie will be at one - whoever has got that pick. ”Port will need to get creative to match the points required. The bid will likely eat up their top pick plus any potential compensation for star Zak Butters. Port are also chasing future picks ahead of next year’s draft, when Zemes Pilot and Louis Salopek are likely to receive early bids.
The AFL had blocked a proposed “pick purchasing” deal that involved the Bulldogs giving up two first-round picks for Marshall, and Port not matching the deal for Butters to snag pick No.5 as compensation.
“Now’s not the time to go into the specifics or the detail of the option we were working through and what transpired,” Cripps said. “But what I will say is this. We live in a system where the rules are complex and ambiguous, and clearly the rules ... can be adjusted at any time at the AFL’s discretion, even via a memo, which can be frustrating.
“The reality is we’ve been dealt a series of brutal, unprecedented challenges that we’re attempting to navigate through, and it’s a long list that I’ll save for another day. ” Meanwhile, Sam Marshall wants to leave after two years at Brisbane, and just two senior games this season. Brisbane premiership midfielder Sam Marshall is eyeing a move to St Kilda.
The midfielder played 11 games in his debut 2025 season, including Brisbane’s grand final win, in which he was substituted at halftime for Lachie Neale.
“The Brisbane Lions confirm premiership midfielder Sam Marshall has requested to be traded to St Kilda,” the Lions said in a statement on Thursday. “The club respects Marshall’s request to be traded, and will work towards facilitating an outcome that best reflects true value to the Brisbane Lions for the 20-year-old. ”
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