Adelaide big man Riley Thilthorpe will miss the Crows' season opener on March 16 after the former first-rounder failed to finish Saturday's statement win over West Coast.
The West Adelaide product limped off his old stomping ground of Richmond Oval late into the last quarter of the Crows' 67-point win over the Eagles, with Thilthorpe favouring his knee after being caught in a marking contest.
The Adelaide Football Club has since confirmed that scans revealed a managed meniscus in Thilthorpe's left knee, meaning the Goodwood junior will miss the start of the season.
A timeline for Thilthorpe's return is not yet known.
While Thilthorpe's injury comes at an inopportune time for the 21-year-old after having made several positive on-field statements across the course of the summer.
Speaking post-game, Adelaide head coach Matthew Nicks stated that while his fingers were crossed for the big man, injuries will always happen due to the nature of the game.
“I'm not an expert but the doctors are hopeful it's nothing major,” Nicks was quoted by News Corp.
“I'm hoping it's not bad but in that moment your gut drops.
“We go hard – that's how we've trained right throughout – and been pushing the envelope, let alone playing games like this, that's how we work and believe we play our best footy.
“Sometimes your heart's in your mouth, today was one of those moments.
“Fingers crossed.”
Throughout the course of 2023 - his third season at West Lakes - Thilthorpe elevated the bar further, playing a career-high 21 games and averaging just shy of a goal per game.
Thilthorpe will now watch the Crows' season opener against the Suns at Carrara on Saturday, March 16 from the sidelines.
