Adelaide recruit Finnbar Maley has seemingly leapfrogged club stalwart Reilly O'Brien as the secondary ruck option.
Maley has been confirmed to make his Crows debut on Thursday against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, with key forward Taylor Walker explaining the reasoning behind his selection.
"We're probably exploring the avenue of playing two rucks," Walker said on Triple M.
"So, he (Maley) will play a little bit of second ruck and then play a little bit ahead of the ball. He can jump, he gets at the ball, he's ultra-competitive. I'm looking forward to seeing him play on Thursday night.
"He's going to create a big contest, he'll split packs, he'll get at the ball, he jumps at it, he's very electric."
Thilthorpe has been used in the back-up ruck role, assisting O'Brien before Lachlan McAndrew took the veteran's place at the beginning of the season.
McAndrew recorded 38 hitouts against the Western Bulldogs, while Thilthorpe added seven. However, when the latter was pushed into the stoppages, the Bulldogs were able to control their defensive 50, with James O'Donnell, Buku Khamis and Rory Lobb able to withstand Darcy Fogarty and Walker.
The trio combined for seven goals, but with Maley's inclusion as a second ruck, Thilthorpe is set to spend his time closer to goal.
Maley was traded from North Melbourne last October in a surprising move away from Arden Street.
The opportunities seemed limited at the West Lakes club, given Walker, along with Thilthorpe and Fogarty, occupied the three-pronged attack.
Matthew Nicks has opted against using O'Brien, with the former Roo showing versatility in playing as a marking forward as well as a secondary ruck.
