Player Watch Riley Thilthorpe - Signed to End of 2028

[Cleric]

Riley has too many weapons.

His height and strength will almost certainly make him a nightmare for any defender. Im glad they made him bulk up during his injury layoff. The dudes a beast and will easily brush aside any of the current defenders from any side in a 1:1. The only problem I fear is we start bombing long to him and he ends up 3 on 1 all the time. But he has smarts and I do think he will break into space more often. But Darcy and Walker need to create some space for him. Cant just all clog up the middle.

While it is tempting to use him one out in the square, could be very useful roaming the 50 as well.

In his highlights of the games he played in 2024, the thing that stood out to me was his footy smarts and skill both with the ball and at ground level. Not putting any pressure on him, but I do think within a couple of seasons he will be the best bigman in the game. I think is weapons are bigger than JUH, King Brothers and the guy from Sydney.

I predict Riley may end up forcing opposition teams to drop their ruckman in front of him. But his speed and running ability will nullify them pretty quick.

I rate him as the best forward of the lot. Like you say, he just has more weapons than anyone else. The only thing holding him back would be injuries.

 

[WeeBlake]

I rate him as the best forward of the lot. Like you say, he just has more weapons than anyone else. The only thing holding him back would be injuries.

I’d have Sam Darcy clearly ahead, and JUH arguably slightly ahead.

 

[WeeBlake]

The way I see RT going this year is he is either going to destroy alot of defenders, or he is going to destroy his knee.

Yeah, it’s been sketchy from the start

 

[AFC979810]

The way I see RT going this year is he is either going to destroy alot of defenders, or he is going to destroy his knee.

Its why its imperative we keep him far away from the ruck.

 

[DaKids]

Its why its imperative we keep him far away from the ruck.

The problem with the big Riley is his landing technique. Doesn’t have any. Look at all the times the lad has hurt himself - it’s going for marks.

Unless he can sort that out he’s safer in the ruck

 

[bmac84]

The problem with the big Riley is his landing technique. Doesn’t have any. Look at all the times the lad has hurt himself - it’s going for marks.

Unless he can sort that out he’s safer in the ruck

How is all the jumping in the ruck any safer? Not to mention all the knees to the ribs, etc.

 

[FR0GGY]

Its why its imperative we keep him far away from the ruck.

You don’t think rucks are important?

 

[AFC979810]

You don’t think rucks are important?

Ha ha ha....

They are not. Thats why we need to keep one of our most important players away from the least important position that can hurt him.

But you already knew that you Clark Kent.

 

[Redleg Crow]

Club three: "It's very hard to find players like Riley Thilthorpe. He's big, competitive, athletic and a genuine footballer. He'd be the one for me."

Club eight: "Thilthorpe is it for us. His talent puts him ahead and the way the game is going, with his running ability and dual role he really fits into the way it's played."

Club 11: "Thilthorpe would be ahead for me, bearing in mind his medical was all good. It's so rare to find players who can do what he does."

Who would you have taken with pick No.1? We ask the recruiters

With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan off the table, Callum Twomey asks a dozen club recruiters who they'd have taken with Adelaide's pick

www.afl.com.au

Holding up well.

 

[pjcrows]

Holding up well.

It's still all based on potential. Great potential, but potential nonetheless.

 

[steve9798]

You don’t think rucks are important?

Not as important as a gun key forward.

 

[GreyCrow]

Should do a side by side of the banner - then and now

 

[Truck25]

Club three: "It's very hard to find players like Riley Thilthorpe. He's big, competitive, athletic and a genuine footballer. He'd be the one for me."

Club eight: "Thilthorpe is it for us. His talent puts him ahead and the way the game is going, with his running ability and dual role he really fits into the way it's played."

Club 11: "Thilthorpe would be ahead for me, bearing in mind his medical was all good. It's so rare to find players who can do what he does."

Who would you have taken with pick No.1? We ask the recruiters

With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan off the table, Callum Twomey asks a dozen club recruiters who they'd have taken with Adelaide's pick

www.afl.com.au

Can't believe so many had Denver Grainger-Barras, that worked out well. Shows how much of a lottery it is.

​

 

[FR0GGY]

Can't believe so many had Denver Grainger-Barras, that worked out well. Shows how much of a lottery it is.

​

Club 9 lol

 

[Cromulant]

Can't believe so many had Denver Grainger-Barras, that worked out well. Shows how much of a lottery it is.

​

He's Hawthorns Fischer McAsey moment. Other clubs do have them.

McDonald too, was/is a one trick pony. Still got time on his side but hes been pretty ordinary in a very good side (H&A side at least)

 

[Scorpus]

Can't believe so many had Denver Grainger-Barras, that worked out well. Shows how much of a lottery it is.

​

Recruiters that think key defenders should be taken with a top 10 pick shouldn't be trusted

 

[Cleric]

He's Hawthorns Fischer McAsey moment. Other clubs do have them.

McDonald too, was/is a one trick pony. Still got time on his side but hes been pretty ordinary in a very good side (H&A side at least)

There was alot on this board that wanted Logan ahead of Reily.

 

[Cromulant]

There was alot on this board that wanted Logan ahead of Reily.

Silly people.

I think McDonald turns out to be a solid player, not a star but a good contributor. Almost every side in the league would want Thilthorpe in their side, in fact they all would.

 

[GreyCrow]

I liked GB - but not ahead of TT

 

[Cleric]

Silly people.

I think McDonald turns out to be a solid player, not a star but a good contributor. Almost every side in the league would want Thilthorpe in their side, in fact they all would.

Yep, anyone not saying that RT is the better player now is being silly.
He was always the one to take, even if JUH was there for us.

 

[StickerMan]

Silly people.

I think McDonald turns out to be a solid player, not a star but a good contributor. Almost every side in the league would want Thilthorpe in their side, in fact they all would.

If they don't yet, they will in the next six weeks.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Club three: "It's very hard to find players like Riley Thilthorpe. He's big, competitive, athletic and a genuine footballer. He'd be the one for me."

Club eight: "Thilthorpe is it for us. His talent puts him ahead and the way the game is going, with his running ability and dual role he really fits into the way it's played."

Club 11: "Thilthorpe would be ahead for me, bearing in mind his medical was all good. It's so rare to find players who can do what he does."

Who would you have taken with pick No.1? We ask the recruiters

With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan off the table, Callum Twomey asks a dozen club recruiters who they'd have taken with Adelaide's pick

www.afl.com.au

We nailed this one in hindsight... but highlights such a difference in opinion amongst the clubs.

Would be fascinating to know the top 5 rankings by clubs for the last draft.

 

[cmndstab]

We nailed this one in hindsight... but highlights such a difference in opinion amongst the clubs.

Would be fascinating to know the top 5 rankings by clubs for the last draft.

We definitely nailed it, although you have to wonder how much of the decision came down to "it's a jump ball, so let's just go for the Crows-supporter SA kid."

What is obvious from that article is that even the experts have no real idea which of these kids is going to be better.

 

[Soggy2112]

I think the 2020 draft is one where you can give a lot of clubs a pass given what little football that was played was pretty interrupted.

In some ways we’re pretty lucky that Riley was a SA kid and we were always more likely to pick him otherwise I could see a world were we picked DGB or McDonald.

 

[hippyhippy]

Thank christ we finally nailed one... almost makes up the failures before ...