Cockie, who was selected with West Coast's second pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (No. 18), will be joined at Subiaco Oval by the club's first pick, Liam Bedford (No. 2 overall).
The 19-year-old was overlooked in last year's drafts but had a superb season with WAFL club Subiaco, culminating in a premiership that included a starring grand final role for the hard-working midfielder.
Woodhouse said Cockie had plenty in common with Priddis, a former Subiaco star who was rookie-listed by West Coast in 2005 after being ignored in consecutive drafts.
"He's a kid that we've watched right from the [under] 16s and he's just a good honest worker, in some respects maybe not too different from Matt Priddis," Woodhouse told westcoasteagles.com.au.
"Obviously we've drafted a lot of midfielders so he's in a bit of a queue, but Priddis was in that queue, too. So if you're good enough you get up.
"He's got a great attitude and a great work rate. They're two things that go towards it."
West Coast's other rookie selection, Bedford, has been on Geelong's rookie list for the past two seasons after being recruited from Claremont.
Woodhouse said a return to WA grounds and an attacking role should suit Bedford, 20, whose pace and skills have been used in defence at Geelong.
"Liam is quick. I think we might try to get him playing more of a forward role than a back role," Woodhouse said.
"I think he'll lap up the big, quicker grounds. Playing VFL footy in Melbourne on the little grounds that have the sting out of the track and are often muddy, cold and a bit miserable, it probably didn't suit his style.
"I think he'd probably look forward to going back to Claremont where he played his junior footy."
Woodhouse said Tuesday's draft went to plan for the club, adding he was pleased with the progress of West Coast's five retained rookies.
"Lewis Stevenson, we're pretty happy with how he developed over the year, as with big Will Sullivan … Ash Arrowsmith had some injuries that slowed him down.
"Ryan Davis, as our additional rookie from NSW, was able to step up and play 11 games, so [retaining him] was a no-brainer and Callum Wilson was really solid."
After Beau Wilkes was elevated to the senior list in 2008, Woodhouse said Cockie and Bedford would be given every opportunity to be promoted.
"Based on our history it's unusual for us to give them the flick after a year," he said.
"That's what we've tended to do and I think it's maybe part of the reason we tend to get a few more up - our elevation rate would be close to 40-50 per cent.
"You've got to give young kids time to develop. It's vital in this tough, cut-throat business, sometimes that extra time just helps them."
