Adelaide key forward Riley Thilthorpe has produced his best performance of 2026 as he played a key role in bringing down flag fancy Sydney at the SCG.
The 201cm power forward booted 2.3 in the wet, including a match-sealing set shot effort from 50m out on a tight angle to go along with his 11 disposals and six marks.
After securing his maiden All-Australian blazer in 2025 (kicking 60 goals from 25 games), Thilthorpe has failed to match that productivity this season as he has battled form and injury issues to boot 21 goals from 15 games.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said Thilthorpe's impact in marking contests on Friday night was a clear indicator of his return to form.
"(Thilthorpe) had a huge impact on the game," Nicks said.
"If you talk about where the game was won and lost, I mean it was a team performance, to change the momentum in the third quarter was just outstanding. It was as good as we have been in that space against real high quality team, and Riley was a massive part of that.
"It's an interesting one, because I think people might start seeing some of the marks and so on, but we look at the contests. The fact that he just kept putting himself in the contest when the game was there to be won, or we needed to hang on, he was punching the ball out of bounds and the little things.
"I think it's a really strong game from him individually and one that's going to build his belief and get him back to the best footy that we know he can play."
The Crows currently sit in third spot on the ladder as they hunt for finals redemption after a straight sets exit last year following a minor premiership.
With key forwards Darcy Fogarty (17 goals in five games), Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker (was rested against Sydney but kicked 5.4 in his last match) all hitting form at the right time, Adelaide will have to perform a balancing act to not diminish any of its trio's impact in the forward half.
While playing all three key forwards at the same time has caused issues this season, Nicks said Fogarty, Thilthorpe and Walker's strong form was a "good spot to be in" heading into another finals series.
"I think it's a real bonus for us if we can get Riley and keep him in that space, which we are confident he has been building that," he said.
"It's been something we have been talking about for a number of weeks. And then keep Darcy in the same sort of form he has been in for six weeks then we become quite dangerous ahead of the ball.
"Tonight, both of those guys had a huge impact on the game.
"For us to be able to manage Taylor this week was a huge bonus for our squad. Tex at his best is really important to us, and we will need to manage him for him to be able to do that."
Fogarty will likely be forced into some time out of the side after his swinging arm gave Sydney's Harry Cunningham a concussion.
The incident may be referred straight to the tribunal as the action is predicted to lead to a three- or four-week suspension.
