Has Riley Thilthorpe overtaken the rest of the 2020 AFL draft class at this early stage?
The likes of Tom Powell, Braeden Campbell, Errol Gulden and Logan McDonald got off to fast starts this season, while Nik Cox has been a steady performer at Essendon.
Thilthorpe debuted in Round 6, kicking five goals against Hawthorn and has 16 goals total in eight games.
The key forward was the match-winner for Adelaide on Saturday night against St Kilda, booting two final quarter goals to drag his side over the line.
Kane Cornes believes Thilthorpe is currently ahead of the draft pack.
“He’s the pick of all of them for me. Nik Cox will be a really good player, but when you’ve got a 200cm key forward with a presence about him … the thing that Riely Thilthorpe is doing extremely well is winning one-on-one contests,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“He had 14 contested possessions on Saturday night out of his 16. He kicked three goals including the match-winner.
“He does not get beaten in one-on-one contests and to do that as a 19-year-old after eight games of footy, the preparation he had playing against men in the SANFL has helped there, but he’s only going to get stronger and bigger.
“Who is he like? I was trying to think. There’s a little bit of Tom Lynch from Richmond about him, but I think he’s got a bit more of a reach than Lynch and can go into the ruck. He’s a bit more agile and athletic than what Lynch has been.
“Crows fans, strap yourself in. He’s going to be something else and he’s going to be a player you can just plonk at the top of the goal square for the next 15 years and enjoy the ride.”
Adelaide now goes into their bye before preparing to take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium in Round 15.