Adelaide full-forward Taylor Walker will be among a long list of players who the Brisbane Lions will need to shut down if they’re going to overcome last year’s Preliminary Finalists.

Walker kicked a career-high 63 goals in 2012 – just two shy of eventual Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt – and at just 22 years of age, is already one of the competition’s most dangerous forwards.

Despite being relatively well held in the Crows’ season-opener against Essendon, he still managed to kick three goals and prove a key player in their final term revival.

Fortunately for the Brisbane Lions, they possess a couple of quality backmen who can be entrusted with the all-important role on ‘Tex’ Walker.

But reigning Club Champion Joel Patfull told media on Wednesday that Walker was just one of the many players the Lions’ defence needs to be wary of.

“Dan (Merrett) is probably the one most likely to play on (Walker),” Patfull said.

“We’ll look at his tape, and we’ve played them a few times before so we’ll put a bit of effort into him.”

“But they’ve got some other good forwards up there as well who can kick goals so we’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Restricting the Crows’ small forwards will also be critical if the Lions are to secure their first win of the season in front of their home crowd.

Ian Callinan (39 goals in 2012), Jason Porplyzia (30), and even midfielder Patrick Dangerfield (23) are all capable of kicking a bag of goals.

Like the Lions, Adelaide will be determined to erase the memory of their Round One performance against Essendon.

“They had a loss, and so did we, so it’ll be on for the first 10 minutes – and most of the game. We’re expecting a pretty hard game,” Patfull said.

“(Last weekend) was very disappointing, but the boys have all moved on. It’s our first home game, so all the boys will be rapt to get out there and turn things around.”

Patfull’s media conference coincided with the news that he had re-signed with the Club until at least the end of 2015 – and the 28 year-old said he couldn’t be happier to be remaining in Brisbane.

“I’m very excited to hang around here for a few more years,” he said.

“I never thought twice (about re-signing). As long as they want me here, I’ll stay.”

“I felt comfortable in Brisbane from the minute I was here, so the go-home factor has never really been a big issue for me. I feel like Brisbane is now my home.”