Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker will have the chance to bury some of his early-season demons when he fronts up against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Walker has copped criticism at times this year for some inconsistent displays.

But the biggest whack was delivered following the club’s round-10 loss to West Coast, when Walker shirked a contest with Shannon Hurn.

Both Hurn and Walker bent down to pick up the loose ball, but Walker pulled out to avoid contact.

Questions about Walker’s toughness were raised after that incident, and the 29-year-old has been determined to make sure it was a one-off.

Walker booted four goals in last week’s win over St Kilda, and Eagles coach Adam Simpson remains wary of the 186-game veteran.

“He’s a leader. He’s the barometer sometimes as well,” Simpson said of Walker, who has kicked 36 goals this season.

“I’m expecting a pretty standard game in terms of the way he approaches it and the way he leads – focal point up forward.”

Eddie Betts also looms as a headache for the Eagles.

Betts was surprisingly dropped two weeks ago, but bounced back with three goals against the Saints.

Eagles defender Brad Sheppard is likely to get the job on Betts.

Sheppard has become an expert on shutting down dangerous small forwards in recent years, and Simpson praised the 28-year-old.

“He’s in All-Australian form in our eyes,” Simpson said.

West Coast started the round just 0.8 percentage points ahead of third-placed Brisbane.

But Simpson insists he won’t be thinking about percentage against the Crows.

“Adelaide are fighting for a spot in the eight. We’re fighting for a different spot in the eight, albeit with the same tenacity,” Simpson said.

“It’s going to be game on.”

The Crows (10-9) started the round in eighth spot, but have a host of teams on their tail.

West Coast dropped Jarrod Cameron and Chris Masten to make room for the returning goalsneak Jamie Cripps and tagger Mark Hutchings.

Adelaide have included ruckman Sam Jacobs for his first AFL appearance since round two.

Reilly O’Brien was dropped for Jacobs.