Player Watch Riley Thilthorpe - Signed to End of 2028

[1990crow]

Still has another level to go to IMO. Won't peak until he's 26.

 

[Golumless]

Still has another level to go to IMO. Won't peak until he's 26.

Considering Riley is a top 10 player in the comp via ChampionData at the moment, there probably isn't another level to go development wise.

Just going to be on how we use him, and how we build around him now.

 

[Cleric]

From Gerard Healy on Sportsday

“He’s as skilled as any big bloke I’ve seen”

I mean, he’s not wrong. Dude’s a genuine unicorn

Imagine where we would be today if we didn't take him, but took Hogan or Hollands instead? Imagine seeing him like this at Sydney or North knowing we passed on him.

 

[Crow till I die]

Considering Riley is a top 10 player in the comp via ChampionData at the moment, there probably isn't another level to go development wise.

Just going to be on how we use him, and how we build around him now.

His development will come in the form of getting very smart with his leading patterns, sharpening up his goalkicking from mid to longer range and how he can bring others into the game. Where he is now (a dominating presence in the air and a physical menace for defenders) is actually like where I think Dan Curtin's journey will take him (but his will be more of a midfielders physical dominance like a Bontompelli or Cripps rather than as a key forward), its just that he is a few years behind development wise.

Thilthorpe is that generational forward we build the forward line around for the next decade post Tex.

 

[Crow till I die]

Imagine where we would be today if we didn't take him, but took Hogan or Hollands instead? Imagine seeing him like this at Sydney or North knowing we passed on him.

Imagine what he would cost if we had to try to entice him back in terms of money and draft capital...uuugh

 

[1990crow]

Considering Riley is a top 10 player in the comp via ChampionData at the moment, there probably isn't another level to go development wise.

Just going to be on how we use him, and how we build around him now.

Disagree. Bigmen don't normally peak until 25/26, and have 100 plus games under them.

Just means his ceiling is best player in the league possibly.

 

[StickerMan]

His development won't come with any further additional skills and freakishness, but the ability to deliver this more consistently across four quarters and 23 games a season.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Imagine where we would be today if we didn't take him, but took Hogan or Hollands instead? Imagine seeing him like this at Sydney or North knowing we passed on him.

Hogan is arguably the best forward in the AFL... but assume you are referring to McDonald.

 

[TBM]

Hogan is arguably the best forward in the AFL... but assume you are referring to McDonald.

I read it as Ugle-Hagan? But McDonald into same bucket as well. Plenty thought we should've taken him with our pick.

We're bloody lucky to have Riley

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I read it as Ugle-Hagan? But McDonald into same bucket as well.

We're bloody lucky to have Riley

Yeah, could be either.

But we were never getting JUH, but could have taken McDonald

 

[Coopers]

Considering Riley is a top 10 player in the comp via ChampionData at the moment, there probably isn't another level to go development wise.

Just going to be on how we use him, and how we build around him now.

Being where he is in the rankings is amazing, but I disagree. Feels like he still has improvement.

Which you'd then be thinking has to put him in the frame for being the best player in the comp when he's at his peak powers, ages 24-29 or so. Couple more years.

 

[FR0GGY]

He’s got way more scope to improve, could easily kick 5-6 goals on the regular.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Imagine where we would be today if we didn't take him, but took Hogan or Hollands instead? Imagine seeing him like this at Sydney or North knowing we passed on him.

It would take 8 first rounders to get him back

 

[FR0GGY]

It would take 8 first rounders to get him back

And to send 3 dean gores

 

[MrBarry]

I read it as Ugle-Hagan? But McDonald into same bucket as well. Plenty thought we should've taken him with our pick.

We're bloody lucky to have Riley

Loads of people were wanting Mcdonald, who started well, but looks as vanilla as they come as a forward.

 

[Cromulant]

Loads of people were wanting Mcdonald, who started well, but looks as vanilla as they come as a forward.

Hes a one trick pony.

Lead and mark, and not a particularly great kick for goal.

 

[WeeBlake]

It would take 8 first rounders to get him back

Price depends on who is paying. Cats can get almost anyone for the best pick they currently have.

 

[StonesThrow]

Our 3 best players are south Australian! A nice change.

 

[Crow till I die]

If you re did the 2020 draft, Thilthorpe is the clear number 1 surely. Gulden maybe 2nd?

 

[spenze]

Still has another level to go to IMO. Won't peak until he's 26.

I think you're right with this call, him and Sam Darcy are going to make defenders sick for the next decade

 

[Sizzlepack]

If you re did the 2020 draft, Thilthorpe is the clear number 1 surely. Gulden maybe 2nd?

Those two and Holmes are the three clear best players. The order depends on what stock you put in runs on the board vs potential vs positional value. I'm very happy with how it's shaken out for us (especially considering we haven't yet gotten a heap from our other picks in that draft).

 

[ABAB]

Those two and Holmes are the three clear best players. The order depends on what stock you put in runs on the board vs potential vs positional value. I'm very happy with how it's shaken out for us (especially considering we haven't yet gotten a heap from our other picks in that draft).

Pedlar has finally got himself AFL fit. It's now up to him if he want to be an AFL player, we know the talent is there.

 

[spenze]

Remember the guy who said Thily would have been there at our second pick...

 

[Sizzlepack]

Pedlar has finally got himself AFL fit. It's now up to him if he want to be an AFL player, we know the talent is there.

I'd be surprised if we got great "value" for the Pedlar pick, but given the poor quality of the draft overall and specifically the picks around that range, I'm not losing any sleep over it. Tom Powell wouldn't be moving the needle for us. As you say, a decent career is still there for Pedlar. Berry is probably delivering above-average value for his pick, while Cook will play fewer than 5 more AFL games before he's delisted at the end of next year. It was a very bad year to bottom out, but Thilthorpe made it OK.

 

[Play On Advantage]

I'd be surprised if we got great "value" for the Pedlar pick, but given the poor quality of the draft overall and specifically the picks around that range, I'm not losing any sleep over it. Tom Powell wouldn't be moving the needle for us. As you say, a decent career is still there for Pedlar. Berry is probably delivering above-average value for his pick, while Cook will play fewer than 5 more AFL games before he's delisted at the end of next year. It was a very bad year to bottom out, but Thilthorpe made it OK.

Given that draft year had Thilthorpe and not much else, you would argue that it was the perfect year to bottom out.