Key forward Riley Thilthorpe has recommitted to Adelaide until the end of 2028 in a significant show of faith in the Club.

The 22-year-old was already contracted to the end of next season but has extended his time at West Lakes by a further three years.

Thilthorpe has kicked 59 goals from his 53 games since being drafted by the Crows with Pick No.2 in 2020.

This year he made an impressive return from pre-season knee surgery, kicking 15 goals in seven games to go with strong contested marking while also pinch-hitting in the ruck.

Crows GM List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said Thilthorpe was a crucial part of the Club’s exciting future.

“We’ve loved what we’ve seen from Riley in his first four seasons and we’re excited about what the next four look like,” Reid said.

“He’s a really big part of what we are building, not only of our forward line, but the young core that is taking the group forward.

“This year he faced a significant challenge with his knee injury in pre-season but his attitude towards his rehab and appetite to put in the work was obvious for all to see, and it translated to some great form on the field.”

Thilthorpe said it was an easy decision to extend his contract at West Lakes.

“I believe in the group and believe we’re going to do some good things in the future so I’m really excited about signing on,” he said.

“We have a really good culture and a lot of boys signing on just shows that.”

Thilthorpe said he was pleased with how he returned from knee surgery for the final seven games of the year, and he was already excited about getting stuck into pre-season training in November.

“It (injury) was obviously pretty unfortunate but I wouldn’t change anything, I learnt so much about myself during that time and watching from the outside I saw a different perspective of the footy club and how it works,” he said.

“It brought me back to a better spot post the knee injury where I’m really happy.

“I can’t wait for pre-season, I feel like I was just starting to get going at the back end of this year so I’m excited for a full year and see how we go.”