Crows star Riley Thilthorpe’s five goals has helped Adelaide to a 19-point win over rivals Port Adelaide in Friday’s match simulation at Alberton Oval.
Thilthorpe was at his dominant best as he taught rookie Power defender Harrison Ramm a lesson in the 14.10 (94) to 10.15 (75) victory.
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And while Port Adelaide fought back late to narrow the margin, they have their own concerns with star Jason Horne-Francis failing to finish the match.
Horne-Francis headed to the bench late in the second term, where he removed his boot and gestured to his foot.
He then played no further part in worrying signs for his chances of playing Round 1.
THE 3-2-1… (what we learnt)
3. ADELAIDE’S ‘MAN MOUNTAIN’ STUNS BUT SHIFT A ‘HEAD SCRATCHER’
Riley Thilthorpe has fired a warning shot to AFL teams with a five-goal haul in Friday’s match simulation against the Power.
Thilthorpe had two marks for two goals in the opening term – one a brilliant boundary snap and the second a bomb from 52m.
He then brought up goals three and four from free kicks as young Port defender Harrison Ramm was given a brutal lesson.
“He’s going to be a handful this year for opposition defenders Riley Thilthorpe,” Crows great Mark Bickley said.
“He’s got a huge body now, big frame, kicks the ball well so he doesn’t need a whole lot of opportunity.”
Bickley said Thilthorpe should be aiming for a “60-plus” goal season as a “pass mark”.
“His size and the dominance he’s showed … if you think there’s still some progression in him, which I believe there is, I reckon he could really take a couple of games by the scruff of the neck this year and kick multiple goals,” he said.
But it was after that fourth goal that we saw the move that left Bickley “scratching his head” – 201cm Thilthorpe the midfielder.
“Gee whiz… He’s got four goals in a quarter and a half. He looks like he’s catching everything coming in in his postcode and you put him in the middle as a midfielder!” he said.
“I don’t understand it – I don’t know what they get out of that.
“(Docker) Luke Jackson yes I get, because he’s got the ability to run away from people if the ball does get out in space.
“Just feel like if I was coaching against Adelaide, I wouldn’t be that unhappy if Riley Thilthorpe was in the middle as an onballer as opposed to standing 20m out in front of goal.”
While Thilthorpe the midfielder was a head scratcher, Thilthorpe the forward was a monster.
“A lot of defenders watching this… Thilthorpe looking pretty ominous,” Bickley praised.
“His kicking has been excellent. It’s a pretty daunting task (going against him).
“He’s a mountain of a man.”
With the inclusion of Toby Murray into the side, Bickley felt Thilthorpe could focus on his forward craft – rather than play as the backup ruck.
“Got a feeling they don’t want him in the ruck, they want him dominating in the front half of the ground,” Bickley said.
“This is one of the reasons why Adelaide is despite to have another second ruck – they don’t have to use Thilthorpe.
“He’s in a pretty dominant mood – you just want him inside your goal square or forward 50.
“It’s one of these tactics Matthew Nicks has thought a lot about.”
2. PORT STAR’S DAY DONE EARLY
It was only days ago that Port star Jason Horne-Francis was reportedly in a race to be fit for Round 1.
And those odds didn’t appear in increase after the former No.1 pick failed to finish the match simulation against Adelaide on Friday.
Horne-Francis lasted just five minutes in the second term before dropping down to clutch at his left foot.
He was then seen by medical staff on the bench where he gestured to his foot before half time. He then didn’t take any further part in the match.
“Jason Horne-Francis is being rested for the second half after feeling some minor awareness in his foot,” the club said in a statement.
But it is a worrying start to 2026 for the club.
7NEWS last week reported Horne-Francis was racing to be fit for Round 1 after battling foot and shoulder issues over summer.
But the 22-year-old had said “my foot has recovered really well” heading into Friday’s clash.
1. HOW CROWS CAN OVERCOME ‘DAWSON OR BUST’
Crows skipper Jordan Dawson may have been named in the centre for last year’s All Australian team, but on Friday he showed plenty of versatility as a resting forward.
With Josh Rachele getting more midfield minutes, Dawson was able to come out from the goal square at stages at Alberton Oval – and he impressed doing it.
Dawson beat Port’s Aliir Aliir in the one-on-one at half forward in the second term before wheeling around to find Taylor Walker 20m out – who goaled.
“Brilliant kick from the skipper of the Adelaide Crows,” Paul Bonser said.
Crows great Mark Bickley was impressed with Dawson’s work as a forward.
“You can see why they want to play him in front of the ball – because he can do that! Can outmark an opposition defender in Aliir – who is no slouch!” he said.
“Works him under the footy, wins it. Rolls around and Taylor Walker would have been 50m (away) – that’s into the breeze as well! Takes the mark 20m out.”
Dawson had a hand in a few more goals which impressed Bickley.
“The other reason thy love I’m sure playing Dawson ahead of the footy, they can start him in the forward line and move him into the midfield and add something,” Bickley praised.
“Last year it was Dawson in the midfield or bust for Adelaide, particularly late in the season.
“It gives them some flexibility and options.”
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SQUADS
Port Adelaide: 1 Connor Rozee, 3 Jackson Mead, 4 Todd Marshall, 5 Joe Berry, 6 Kane Farrell, 7 Jase Burgoyne, 8 Josh Sinn, 11 Christian Moraes, 12 Jack Lukosius, 14 Miles Bergman, 15 Jacob Wehr, 17 Jack Whitlock, 18 Jason Horne-Francis, 21 Aliir Aliir, 22 Logan Evans, 23 Will Brodie, 28 Willem Drew, 30 Ollie Lord, 32 Harrison Ramm, 33 Darcy Byrne-Jones, 34 Lachie Jones, 35 Joe Richards, 36 Will Lorenz, 38 Dante Visentini, 44 Corey Durdin
MISSING: Sam Powell-Pepper, Zak Butters, Ivan Soldo, Ollie Wines, Mitch Georgiades, Jordon Sweet, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Esava Ratugolea, Tom Anastasopoulos, Tom Cochrane, Benny Barrett, Jacob Moss, Josh Lai, Xavier Walsh, Ewan Mackinlay, Mani Liddy, Jack Watkins
Adelaide: 1 Chayce Jones, 2 Ben Keays, 3 Sam Berry, 7 Riley Thilthorpe, 8 Josh Rachele, 9 Nick Murray, 10 Luke Pedlar, 11 Charlie Edwards, 12 Jordan Dawson, 13 Taylor Walker, 14 Jake Soligo, 15 Brayden Cook, 16 Max Michalanney, 19 Zac Taylor, 21 Hugh Bond, 24 Josh Worrell, 25 James Peatling, 26 Mitch Marsh, 27 Luke Nankervis, 28 Alex Neal-Bullen, 29 Rory Laird, 30 Wayne Milera, 31 Billy Dowling, 32 Darcy Fogarty, 35 James Borlase, 39 Toby Murray, 41 Jordon Butts, 42 Lachlan McAndrew, 43 Reilly O’Brien
MISSING: Dan Curtin, Tyler Welsh, Mitch Hinge, Oscar Ryan, Izak Rankine, Luke Nankervis, Callum Ah Chee, Finnbar Maley, Sid Draper, Lachlan Sholl, Isaac Cumming, Mark Keane
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