The Western Bulldogs have won their fourth game in a row after defeating Carlton by 20-points in a scrappy affair at Marvel Stadium.
In a game headlined by talented tall forwards it was the smalls that caused the most damage with Carlton's Matt Owies and Western Bulldogs' Anthony Scott both kicking three goals.
Carlton would have been keen to silence the critics after fans were left angered by midfielder Adam Cerra and CEO Brian Cook’s comments following last week’s poor performance at home against Brisbane.
The Blues started the match in rickety fashion after a blatant error from winger Blake Acres led to the first goal of the match through Dogs defender Jason Johannisen, who kicked truly from a difficult set shot.
Dogs key forward Aaron Naughton threatened to make life hard for the Blues in the first quarter as he took three marks inside 50. Fortunately for the Blues Naughton failed to capitalise from his early opportunities as he only kicked one goal and hit the post twice.
Although the Blues began to gain ascendancy in the match, they remained errant in front of goal, kicking one goal and four behinds from seven shots in the first half.
Carlton’s inaccuracy was personified by key forward Harry McKay who blew a chance to kick the Blues first goal of the game after he shanked a snap shot from 40-metres out on a slight angle.
It was a grubby and low scoring first half, and it took until 10 minutes into the second quarter for the Blues to kick their first goal thanks to a set shot goal from Owies.
The Blues controlled most of the play for the majority of the second quarter and led in clearances (20-16) and had double the amount of inside 50s (29-18) but poor skills by foot let them down.
Michael Voss’ side were unable to capitalise on their control of the match and the Bulldogs were able to kick two goals in the space of a minute late in the half, both thanks to small forward Scott who extended their lead out to 18-points.
Scott has two in a minute!#AFLBluesDogs pic.twitter.com/zvKyxvGqTe
— AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2023
At half time Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes was scathing of the Blues inability to score from their forward entries.
“They’re not top eight material are they though? Cornes told SEN’s AFL Nation.
“From what we are seeing from Carlton tonight, up against reasonable opposition they are miles off the top eight teams in the competition.”
After a quiet start to the match key forward Rory Lobb helped kickstart the Dogs in the third quarter as he kicked back-to-back set shot goals as the lead got out to 31-points.
From there the momentum turned as the Blues, supported by a raucous home crowd, were able to impact the scoreboard for the first time in the match thanks to goals from Owies and George Hewett.
In a quiet night for key forwards, it was Carlton’s Charlie Curnow who kicked a great snap goal with under a minute left as the Blues cut the margin back to eight points at three-quarter time.
The Dogs seemed in control for the first 10 minutes of the last quarter, but roles reversed as they failed to extend their lead.
Carlton small forward Matt Owies was electric all night and arguably played the best game of his career as he kicked three goals and ignited the crowd.
Carlton star Sam Walsh led from the front as he collected 29 touches and one goal while emerging Dogs defender Ed Richards further pushed his case for an All-Australian blazer as he collected 25 disposals, 10 marks and 10 intercept possessions.
Libba steps up for the Dogs 👊#AFLBluesDogs pic.twitter.com/LWHf1AryIm
— AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2023
And while it may have been a slow, low scoring start to the match, the game began to open up as the two sides went goal for goal in the final quarter before a goal Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked the sealer.
FULL SCORE
Carlton: 0.3, 1.4, 5.8, 8.11 (59)
Western Bulldogs: 2.2, 4.4, 6.10, 11.13 (79)
GOALS
Carlton: Owies 3, Curnow 2, Durdin, Hewett, Walsh
Western Bulldogs: Scott 3, Lobb 2, Naughton, Johannisen, Liberatore, Ugle-Hagan, Jones, Smith
BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Kennedy, Owies, Docherty, Weitering, Saad
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Bontempelli, Richards, Johannisen, Williams, Smith
__Injuries
Carlton: Ed Curnow was subbed on for Oliver Hollands
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil was subbed on for James O'Donnell