South Australian teenager Dougie Cochrane could soon become one of Port Adelaide's most promising young players, but his journey to the AFL has also brought his family closer to their Indigenous heritage.

The 18-year-old is one of the leading prospects in this year's AFL Draft and is linked to Port through the club's Next Generation Academy.

Cochrane was finally approved for NGA status last November after a long process confirming his family's Indigenous heritage.

The family's Aboriginal ancestry can be traced back to the Ngunawal people through the maternal side of his father Stuart's family.

Stuart Cochrane — a former Power and North Melbourne player — wrote to the AFL in 2024 asking for his sons to be considered for Port Adelaide's NGA, as the family continued learning more about their background.

For Dougie, this process has been an important part of understanding who he is and where his family comes from.

"We've always had an idea about it and always knew we had that, and I reckon more than two years ago dad said, 'we need to look into this'," Cochrane told AFL.com.au.

"It definitely took a while to go through (with the AFL) but I'm proud of it and it's good to know."

The approval means Port Adelaide will have first access to Cochrane under the draft bidding system.

It is a major boost for the Power, with Cochrane seen as one of the most exciting young players in the country.

The 195cm utility can play forward, back or through the midfield, and was named player of the carnival for the U16 National Championships in 2024.

Cochrane — who is the younger brother of Port forward Tom Cochrane — said he was proud of his family's background.

"I can't change my background — my background is my background and you can't argue with that," he said.

Cochrane was involved in the AFL's Indigenous and multicultural camp earlier this year, where he spent time with other young players.

"I was obviously extremely lucky and grateful that it did turn out and when it was ticked off everyone was so good and got around me and said, 'we've got you mate, we're all in this together'," he told AFL.com.au.

Port Adelaide has a strong history of Indigenous players, and Cochrane has already been able to learn from some of the club's current Indigenous stars.

Former Port football boss Chris Davies helped organise a meeting where Jason Horne-Francis and Lachie Jones spoke with Cochrane about their own backgrounds and family stories.

"They were talking about their backgrounds and where they're from and I was like, "how good is this?" Cochrane said.

"It was good to have that little bond and share something with them."

Cochrane is currently working his way back from patella tendinitis, which required surgery earlier this year.

He hopes to return to football soon, either late in the U18 Championships or shortly after.