Roar Guru
A brave Carlton outfit could not stop the Bulldogs from getting their eighth win for the year, as they cemented their place in the top eight.
The Dogs showed their maturity in the closing stages as they shut out any Carlton danger by slowing down the play and keeping possession well. They were just too good in the second half, and their persistence allowed them to win tonight in a game they would expect to do just that if they are serious about their finals chances.
Despite the loss, and their streak being broken, the Blues showed signs of improvement as they kept up with and even outplayed the Dogs for about half of the game.
>> MATCH REPORT: Bulldogs outlast Blues for Saturday night win
The relentless Bulldogs pressure around the contest was too much in the end for Carlton, as they fell behind in the contested possessions 140-121, as well as in the clearances 49-32, and they just couldn’t get their hands on the ball in the third term as the Dogs broke away to the game defining lead.
However, the Blues did well to out-tackle their opponents 71-65, an impressive feat given that is the Bulldogs’ forte.
They will be disappointed in only managing 7.11 from their 50 i50’s, which was just 5 less than the Dogs’ count.
Liam Picken surprisingly lead all comers with 33 disposals, while Boys and Macrae accumulated in typical fashion to get 31 disposals each of their own. Meanwhile, Curnow and Simpson collected 28 each, while Nick Graham (26), Marc Murphy and Zach Tuohy (both 25) also contributed well.
Whilst he was quiet by his lofty standards, Stringer slotted 3 goals for the Dogs to be their only multiple kicker, while Dennis Armfield was lively for the Blues, kicking 2.4.
Western Bulldogs 9.10.64 def. Carlton 7.11.53
The Western Bulldogs will look to strengthen their top-eight spot when they clash with a rejuvenated Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm (AEST).
The Dogs can claim a third straight win tonight, and set up a favourable run into the finals.
They come into the game as favourites, which emerging sides tend to struggle with, and have put in some great underdog (pardon the pun) performances thus far.
Meanwhile, Carlton have taken a whole new shape under John Barker, winning consecutive games for the first time in over a year. They will challenge the Dogs with added run and carry through Chris Yarran, Dylan Buckley and their 2014 first-round draft pick, Blaine Boekhorst. However Luke Beveridge’s men are the number one tackling side this year, though with 73.3 per game, and will look to pressure the aforementioned Blues speedsters.
The battle of the midfield should significant, as young big-bodied stars Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli go head-to-head.
The Dogs’ defence will be under pressure if their midfielders fail to win the clearances, with Blues forwards such as Tom Bell, Andrejs Everitt and Levi Casboult in dangerous form. Jake Stringer should also prove to be a handful at the other end.
The Bulldogs forward line will be weakened with Tom Boyd out. Jack Redpath comes in alongside debutant Caleb Daniel and Mitch Honeychurch.
For the Blues, Michael Jamison comes in to sure up the back six, which loses Sam Docherty to a hamstring strain.
The two Blaines – Boekhorst and Johnson – also come in for Menzel and Carrazzo.
Prediction
Matthew Boyd’s milestone game (250) is worth note, as these games have been cursed for other sides this year.
Nonetheless, this is a big game for the Dogs and if they can continue playing their aggressive, attractive style of football, they should be too good for the Blues.
Dogs by 19 points.