Blunting Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker is front of mind for Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge as he plots a path to victory in Saturday's AFL tussle.
Walker has kicked nine goals in two appearances since his return from a six-game suspension for a racist slur and was a central figure in the Crows' upset of Richmond last week.
Fellow tall forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay (Carlton), Tom Lynch (Richmond) and Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) have all kicked bags of four or more goals in matches against the Bulldogs this season.
And Beveridge is in no doubt keeping veteran Crows goal-kicker Walker quiet will be crucial to the outcome of the round-six meeting in Ballarat.
The job could fall to Ryan Gardner and off-season recruit Tim O'Brien, with Alex Keath (hamstring) sidelined, while versatile talls Zaine Cordy and Josh Schache have also been named in the Bulldogs' side.
"Taylor is a player that doesn't need many opportunities," Beveridge said.
"He's such an amazing kick, field kick and finishing, so we've got to make sure we starve him of supply.
"He's been kicking really opportunistic goals, as well, not just mark and set shots.
"We'll put some time into him."
Stefan Martin will play his 200th AFL game - his first of the year - as a replacement for Bulldogs ruckman Tim English, who will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Dogs have also had to leave out Lachie Hunter for personal reasons, calling up mature-age recruit Robbie McComb for his debut.
Adelaide named former GWS midfielder Jackson Hately for the first time this year as a replacement for captain Rory Sloane, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
"Jackson is really ready to go," Crows assistant coach James Rahilly said.
"He's been in great form in the SANFL and he'll play a similar role to Sloaney around the footy.
"It's been a good reward for his hard work."
Adelaide finished fourth from bottom last year but have shown signs of improvement in a 2-3 start to 2022.
Two of their defeats, as well as one of their wins, have been in games decided by margins of less than a kick.
"They're building their performance on what they established towards the end of last year and they're presenting as a huge challenge for anyone who plays them," Beveridge said.
