Why Cornes wouldn’t sign Adelaide contract offer if he were Riley Thilthorpe

AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich is reporting that Adelaide has offered Riley Thilthorpe a contract extension until the end of 2028.

The 22-year-old is currently contracted until the end of the 2025 season, with the new extension adding three years onto his deal if he signs on.

While the deal would secure Thilthorpe at West Lakes until free agency, Kane Cornes said he wouldn’t sign a deal now if he were the former No. 2 pick.

Cornes wouldn’t put pen to paper now as he thinks Thilthorpe could increase his value significantly if he signs sometime next year as his contract nears an end.

The forward has played just two games in 2024 after battling a knee injury but has kicked two goals in each game since returning and looks to have put on significant size.

Cornes also thinks that Thilthorpe has the profile of a player who could receive huge offers from rival clubs, increasing bargaining power at Adelaide.

“Josh Gabelich is reporting that Adelaide has offered Riley Thilthorpe a new contract extension that will lock him in at the Crows until the end of 2028,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.

“If I'm the ‘Thil-seeker’, and I know there's some issues over his body, but this is a contract I wouldn't be signing.

“If things come together for him next year. You've seen the offers for key forwards that are 200 centimetres that can go into the ruck…

“Think Max King, think of what he gets paid even though he's injured all the time.

“Thilthorpe should not be signing a deal right now when he's valued at its lowest.”

Cornes added that he feels Thilthorpe will be a million-dollar player ‘in the blink of an eye’ if he continues to improve.

“He’s done a hell of a lot of work on his body,” Cornes said.

“He'll be a million-dollar player in the blink of an eye.

“It would be a dumb decision to sign (now).”

Thilthorpe is currently managed by Ben Williams of Players Ink Sports Management.