AFL 2022: Latest Adelaide Crows news leading into round 10

Crows coach knows there will be questions asked about the selection of Riley Thilthorpe who has not played at any level for a month, but he says he has seen enough to know the big forward is ready to go. Latest selection news.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says he has seen enough from Riley Thilthorpe to select him to face St Kilda despite not playing a game at any level for a month.

According to Nicks, the Crows’ highest ever draft pick is in the best shape he has been and is “jumping out of his skin”, as he prepares to take to the field for the first time since a SANFL match on April 23.

Knee soreness, Covid and the state-league bye have sidelined him for the past four weeks after being cut from the Adelaide side that lost to Fremantle in round 1.

He replaces Elliott Himmelberg (omitted) in the Crows’ attack for Saturday night’s home clash against the Saints.

Nicks said form, how Thilthorpe’s body was feeling and a long-term view regarding the 19-year-old’s development were key factors behind the decision.

“We’ve seen enough at SANFL level ... and there’s still areas he’s continuing to work on,” Nick said.

“We want to get him in amongst it, we want to get him playing alongside Tex (Taylor Walker) and Fog (Darcy Fogarty), build some cohesion.

“He has been out for the past few weeks and that’s probably where the questions are coming and we understand that - where’s the form to say he comes into the side?

“With Riley we do a lot of work off the field, same with a lot of players.”

Thilthorpe has had his right knee strapped while dealing with issues around his fat pad.

But Nicks said the West Adelaide product was feeling really good.

“He’s in the best nick he’s been in,” he said.

“He’s jumping out of his skin and really wants to get into it.”

Nicks said the club also regularly spoke with Thilthorpe about the pressures of being a high draft pick.

“Riley’s doing a great job in that space,” he said.

Thilthorpe back as Crows make call on big name quartet

Riley Thilthorpe is back to face St Kilda – two months after his most recent AFL game and almost a year since his matchwinning goal against the Saints.

The inclusion of the 2020 No. 2 draft pick was one of two Crows changes on Thursday night, along with the return of goalsneak Lachlan Murphy from neck soreness.

Key forward Elliott Himmelberg and wingman Lachlan Sholl were dropped for Saturday night’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round clash at Adelaide Oval.

Experienced trio Matt Crouch, Reilly O’Brien and Wayne Milera were again overlooked.

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Riley Thilthorpe is back for the Crows.

Thilthorpe has kicked 12 goals from four SANFL games since being omitted after the Crows’ season-opening home loss to Fremantle.

His most recent match was on April 23, having been sidelined in recent weeks with Covid, knee soreness and because of the state-game bye.

Thilthorpe was the hero of the last meeting between Adelaide and the Saints.

He slotted three goals, including a left-foot major over his head that secured a six-point victory in Cairns in June.

Speaking before the teams were announced, Crows captain Rory Sloane told FIVEaa Thilthorpe was progressing well and impressed at training on Wednesday.

“He’s going to be a big part of our future,” Sloane said.

“Last year was a pretty special little finish to the game.”

Murphy missed Adelaide’s home loss to Brisbane last weekend due to another neck issue.

He had off-season neck surgery, delaying his start to the season until Round 3.

Himmelberg’s form has dipped over the past month.

He booted 10 goals from rounds three to five but just one major since in four games.

Himmelberg kicked 0.2 from 15 disposals against the Lions and also offered ruck support to Kieran Strachan.

Sholl has played every game so far this season, averaging 19.56 disposals and 2.56 inside 50s.

Key defender Jordon Butts, who was set to emerge from Covid protocols on Saturday, was not selected.

His replacement last week, Nick Murray, was named at full-back.

Meanwhile, Sloane said he had been swimming, walking and on the bike this week but remained about two months away from jogging again.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Latest Adelaide Crows news leading into round 10