Adelaide to mimic rivals in big-man role switch

Adelaide has trialed multiple looks to improve their midfield, but they are most excited by what Riley Thilthorpe can bring.

The Crows indicated a need to bolster their on-ball group after a disastrous finals series, where they were bullied by Collingwood and Hawthorn.

Thilthorpe's bigger body could aid the West Lakes club against the best groups in the competition, which is in a similar mould to Fremantle's Luke Jackson.

"I love seeing Riley (Thilthorpe) around the ball. He gives us a different look, he's very hard to play against, to body up against, he's just so clean and agile for a guy his size," Adelaide Assistant Coach Nathan van Berlo said.

"Anticipating we'll get a look at different stages, he loves it, and we enjoy having him around the ball."

Jackson was drafted as a ruckman, but has developed into an on-baller given his athletic profile.

The Docker works in tandem with Sean Darcy, shouldering the ruck responsibilities, but of late, Justin Longmuir has begun using him as a traditional midfielder.

Thilthorpe had previously attended centre bounces as a ruckman, providing a chop-out for Reilly O'Brien.

However, with fears of injury given the new ruck rules that force players to jump and wrestle less, the Crows are considering a new role for the former Pick 2.

The consideration also comes as Adelaide attempts to add speed to their forward mix by utilising more players inside 50.

At times last year, Matthew Nicks' side were too easy to rebound against, with Thilthorpe among a three-headed monster alongside Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty.

His new role will add a layer of unpredictability to his game, and has already been seen in the pre-season.