This weekend, a quiet but powerful moment in AFL history will unfold. When 19-year-old Tom Cochrane runs out for Port Adelaide against Essendon at Adelaide Oval, he won’t just be making his debut in the nation’s top football league—he’ll be breaking barriers as the first known AFL player with Tourette syndrome.

For Cochrane, the moment is the culmination of a journey marked by resilience, courage, and a refusal to be defined by his diagnosis.

A Childhood Marked by Challenge

Cochrane was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at the age of nine, after his parents noticed he was making involuntary movements and sounds. At the time, he was too young to understand what it all meant.

“I didn’t really know what was going on,” he recalled. “Mum and Dad explained it to me, but I was still figuring it out myself.”

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics. For Cochrane, the condition has included both motor and vocal tics—ranging from blinking and twitching to throat clearing and involuntary sounds.

Growing up, he faced more than just physical challenges. Like many children with a visible condition, Cochrane was bullied—something he describes with quiet honesty.

“It was hard. People don’t always understand,” he said. “There were a few tough years.”

Pushing Through the Doubt

Despite these challenges, Cochrane never let his condition define him. With support from his family, friends, and medical professionals, he found a medication that helped manage his symptoms. He also found something else—something even more powerful: football.

“I’ve always loved the game,” he said. “Being out on the field gave me a focus, a way to feel free.”

Cochrane’s passion and talent were undeniable. In 2024, he was selected by Port Adelaide at pick 13 in the rookie draft—not under the father-son rule, despite his father Stuart Cochrane’s career with the club, but entirely on merit.

A Club That Embraces Difference

At Port Adelaide, Cochrane found a team culture that didn’t just accept him—it celebrated him.

Head coach Ken Hinkley said he was incredibly proud to see Cochrane take the field, calling it a “great story for AFL football.”

“We talk about people being able to overcome things. Tom’s journey is one of perseverance and belief,” Hinkley said. “The players and coaches love him. He’s got real courage.”

Cochrane said the club has always made him feel safe and supported.

“I remember when I first joined, I was really nervous about how people would react,” he said. “But they’ve been amazing. No judgment—just support.”

More Than a Debut

Cochrane’s debut is a personal milestone, but its significance goes far beyond one game or one player.

Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia president Robyn Latimer said Cochrane’s visibility on a national stage could help challenge outdated perceptions of the condition.

“Representation like this matters,” she said. “It shows young people with Tourette’s that they can pursue their dreams. They’re not limited.”

As Cochrane prepares to take the field, he does so not just as a young athlete with promise, but as a role model for anyone who has ever been told their condition might hold them back.

“I know there are kids out there with Tourette’s who might feel like they don’t fit in,” he said. “I just want them to know—it’s okay to be different. Keep going. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do.”

With determination in his heart and the roar of the crowd waiting, Tom Cochrane is ready to make history—not just as an AFL player, but as a symbol of hope, strength, and possibility.