Crows young gun Riley Thilthorpe facing longer-than-expected stint on the sidelines after surgery

Riley Thilthorpe is set to go under the knife after injuring his knee in the Crows’ pre-season hit-out against West Coast in a blow for Adelaide.

Riley Thilthorpe kicks during the 2024 AFL Community Series match between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Adelaide key forward Riley Thilthorpe will have arthroscopic surgery later this week on the meniscus injury he suffered in the dying moments of the Crows pre-season clash against West Coast.

But the Crows are still unsure just how long the young gun will miss, however it is likely he is going to miss at least the first few weeks of the season.

Thilthorpe hurt his left knee during the final moments of the Crows convincing win over the Eagles on Saturday.

He had scans on Sunday, which revealed he had torn the meniscus.

After seeing a specialist on Monday it was decided that Thilthorpe will go in for arthroscopic surgery this week.

From then the Crows will have a clearer picture of how long Thilthorpe will miss.

Just what the surgeons find and how damaged the meniscus is will determine this.

The best case scenario is looking as though the key forward will miss the opening weeks of the season, having already been ruled out for Round 1.

Riley Thilthorpe kicks during the 2024 AFL Community Series match between Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

The worst case could result in him missing a large chunk of the 2024 campaign, which would be a blow after an outstanding pre-season at West Lakes.

Crows defensive coach Jack Hombsch said it would be frustrating for Thilthorpe.

“Obviously a lot has been said of how good a pre-season he has had, he has been in really good form and he has been a real focal point for us,” he said.

New recruit Chris Burgess is in line to make his debut for the Crows against former side Gold Coast in Round 1 next week, while Hombsch said Lachie Gollant was desperate to add to his 12 AFL games.

“There are a few guys putting their hands up, I feel like we have some good depth there,” he said.

“We brought Chris Burgess over from Gold Coast last year who can certainly play that role, Lachie Gollant is chomping at the bit to have a crack as well so those guys are ready to go.”

Hombsch said Elliott Himmelberg, who started ahead of Thilthorpe as a key forward at the beginning of the season last year, would remain in the backline as the Crows continue to develop him as a key defender.

“At this stage... we are really comfortable with him and the work that he is doing down back,” Hombsch said.

Originally published as Crows young gun Riley Thilthorpe facing longer-than-expected stint on the sidelines after surgery