WESTERN Bulldogs defender Michael Talia says new coach Luke Beveridge's team defence mantra was the key to his shutdown job on Adelaide captain Taylor Walker on Sunday.

Talia kept Walker to just nine possessions and one goal at Etihad Stadium, winning 23 possessions and five rebound 50s himself to play a key role in the Bulldogs' 57-point win.   

The 22-year-old said he knew he was in for a tough afternoon against the Crows' spearhead, but the support of an in-form backline, led by Robert Murphy, was the key to his match-up.  

"We had a real emphasis on team defence and a lot of times today he had me beat and my teammates covered for me," Talia told AFL.com.au. 

"They made my job pretty easy and so did the midfield. They really helped me today and I'm really thankful for it."

Murphy and redeployed veteran Matthew Boyd have formed an effective partnership across half-back, combining for 53 possessions on Sunday and repeatedly launching the Dogs into attack.

Talia said the experienced pair gave the team's young defenders a sense of security and kept them organised.

"They're always helping me out and telling me to keep my eyes up at stoppages," he said.  

"I'm constantly learning in the game and I'm only young, so they've been excellent so far driving standards in there.

"Hopefully I can keep improving and one day be half the player they are.

"We needed a key defender to stand up and hopefully I can keep playing my role each week." 

Coach Luke Beveridge said Talia, who was in the best shape of his 20-game career, was getting balance in his game by winning more possessions and improving his ball use. 

"He's just getting better every week," Beveridge said.

"He's accumulating from an offensive point of view, but he's getting the job done defensive. We were really happy with his game.

"His teammates are working for him and getting into space for him. I'm really happy with the way he's using the footy."

Adelaide coach Phil Walsh also acknowledged the young defender's efforts but said the Crows had done their forwards no favours with their poor use going inside 50. 

"To their credit I thought Talia and (Jordan) Roughead did a really good job today," he said.