It's been a whirlwind start to life at Belmore, but Taye Cochrane is content to take him wherever the wind goes.
During NAIDOC Week, we sat down with the fleet-footed fullback to talk life at Belmore, his journey to the Club and his connection to culture.
Alongside the likes of Jack Todd and Logan Spinks, Cochrane arrived at Belmore via the Club NSW north coast pathways, and while there was certainly an adjustment to the 'big smoke', it certainly didn't take him long before settling in.
NAIDOC Week 2026 Spotlight: Taye Cochrane
“I started playing when I was about six, playing for the Taree Panthers and played there for a few years before moving to the Old Bar Pirates," Cochrane explained.
“I grew up playing in the halves, and it wasn’t until I was 18 that I played my first game of fullback and kind of played there since.
“I played with the North Coast Bulldogs in the Country Championships then got the opportunity to come down for a trial down here in Belmore after we went through to the Grand Final. That November I was back here doing pre-season with SG Ball.
I felt like it was the Family Club. I felt very welcome, and didn’t have to try and change or be anything. I just needed to come here, work hard and try be the best person I could.
“It was a big move to come down here without my parents and family around but the Bulldogs set me up in the house just around the corner.
“There were a lot of other boys in the same situation as me so yeah we just got all through it together, like Jack Underhill and 'AJ' (Alekolasimi) Jones.
“Jack was the first person I met, and we got along well. 'AJ' came around a little bit later and now we’re all good mates."
While it has only been a few short years since he arrived, Cochrane has already made strong strides to making his debut in the NRL.
He's since ticked off items on the list including a Jersey Flegg Premiership and getting his first taste of NRL-level football in the Pre-Season Challenge.
But, the opportunity to be part of the travelling squad to Las Vegas earlier this year is what stands out so far.
“I had a lot of opportunities to do a few cool things," he said.
“Earlier in the year I got the chance to go to Las Vegas and experience that which was pretty cool. It’s an experience where I still can’t believe I went over there.
“It felt like a movie the whole time, seeing how they prep the game and the week leading up to it was so surreal.
“It was a great experience I’ll never forget."
A proud Biripi man, Cochrane has plenty of inspiration from the Indigenous stars that have played in the NRL before him, including a Bulldogs Premiership winner.
Still strongly connected to his Indigenous roots, carrying his culture with him wherever he goes, the young gun still remains humble despite his star rising in Belmore.
“It’s something I carry with me every day. I’m proud to represent every day, on the field, off the field and in everything I do," he said.
“I loved watching players like JT, GI. Latrell Mitchell being from Taree, he’s someone I’ve always looked up to.
I’m just like anyone who moves from their home to chase their footy team and play NRL. But I just want to represent my people, where I’m from and just go wherever the journey takes me.
“My whole journey here at the Bulldogs is something I’m pretty proud of.”
