Stuart Cochrane: The Unsung Hero

[RossFC]

I got locker room access to the 2011 Port vs Melbourne Adelaide Oval game and asked to take a picture with Cochrane and he said something along the lines of "You don't want to take a picture with me, What have I done?" haha

 

[*PAF]

Took me a few trial button eventually got through all of it in one go.
What a pile of shit.
But i hit the like button.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Rather than bury this in the Dougie thread, I reckon Stuie needs his own recognition. This 2014 thread title is better than the well wishing one when Stuie was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2017.

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

Stuart Cochrane has noted the process was lengthy, compounded by his own health challenges. While aware of the family's Aboriginal history, the process of proving their heritage took longer than expected after he became unwell.

At the end of the 2017 season, after a decade of coaching and administration roles in Port Adelaide's football department, Cochrane approached former GM of Football Chris Davies about taking on the new role as Head of NGA & Academies.

A significant factor in Cochrane's move into the NGA role was the opportunity to identify and work with young players who might add to the famous history of Aboriginal footballers who have represented Port Adelaide.

Only a few months after being appointed, Cochrane was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. The diagnosis was challenging for the family, but his wife and their boys demonstrated great resilience throughout the ordeal, emerging stronger from the experience.

In recent years, Cochrane's health has improved and he has been able to look further into his family heritage and cultural background.

The Cochrane family's Aboriginal heritage can be traced back to the Ngunawal people. For a number of reasons, the family over the generations had been disconnected from their cultural background, but they are now able to learn more about their origins and are proud of their family's history.

Commentators have made a few references to Canadian singer Tom Cochrane's songs when talking about Stuie's boy Tom Cochrane.

But this one is for you Stuie. Hopefully its not one boy, but all three boys play in the big league for Port.

Yeah I know the lyrics are darker than the catchy rock hook, but so many other songs are similar and you remember the beat and the hook, rather than the deeper, darker meaning.