Highlights: Bulldogs cop another injury blow in win over Blues

Pumping Dougie - Plowman was amongst the best from multiple sources and kept Stringer out of the game while up forward - he also seemed to get better as the game went. Sometimes it is hard to judge a defenders contribution from TV. Sumner didn't overly impress me either but he kicked 2 goals, used the ball well and hopefully will be better for the run after missing a lot of footy through injury. On the Menzel trade in total as long as Kerridge and Plowman continue the way they are going the trade will eb a win for the blues - if Phillips, Lamb and Sumner continue to hold their spots will just be icing on the cake.

I was very surprised to see Plowman among the best, but I can understand being pleased with his debut. I didn't think he beat his opponent or gave much drive, but he battled along promisingly. Kerridge has been a good trade for you and Phillips - I'd never seen him before - I thought he looked worth persevering with. Summer didn't impress me, but he did get two goals and its early days. So far, I'd agree Carlton have definitely had the better of the Menzel and Yarran trades.

I have actually be pretty impressed with Casboult this year, his pressure ahs been great, he has presented pretty well and has been regularly able to take marks in dangerous scoring positions (30m out) unfortunately he has undone a lot of his good work by missing easy goals. I think the strategy of playing him higher might be a good one longer term (once McKay gets some strength in his body) as he is a reasonable field kick.

Col - "Mattyb, why do you feel the need to malign Lachie Plowman" - because he has no idea what he is talking about springs to mind.

Mattyb, why do you feel the need to malign Lachie Plowman. Most decent football supporters would be happy to see a young lad who has had injury problems curtailing his football career get the chance to once again play football and perhaps show the potential that had him taken at pick 3. Is it just because he happens to play for Carlton?

Mattyb - it's not Travis King individually but the argument he adds his voice to. If you can find one voice since the AFL season started supporting your view it might carry more weight than that of a man in a tin foil hat pushing a shopping cart full of aluminum cans.

Pretty hard to argue with that macca. Travis King says something it shouldn't be ignored. Interesting you hold Travis in such high regard,I wonder if you would feel the same on an article suggesting Carlton performed dismally in trade week or if you pick and choose your articles?

The blues could have found a defensive pairing for the next decade After going at pick three in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, there were never any doubts about Lachie Plowman's talent and, on Saturday night, he showed that the Blues might have found a long-term defensive partner for Jacob Weitering. Plowman helped blanket emerging Dogs star Jake Stringer, held goalless from 17 touches, and impressed with his composure under a barrage of early pressure. The 21-year-old was part of a trade that also saw three of his Giants teammates lob at Carlton for a bunch of picks and swapping of a future round one pick. After Plowman's debut in navy blue, it already looks like a steal. – Travis King

wasn't a good game, Dogs had composure and took advantage of Blues poor disposal but the Dogs defence probably should have been better. also for a side that is meant to be in the run for the top four the dogs are struggling to kick big scores, only cracked a ton once this year so far and when Stringer players up the field they have no decent target to hit up, Boyd is starting to look better but in the absence of Crammers and now Dickson as well they really should play Redpath and Boyd together.

True blue I understand what you are saying but unfortunately past decisions by the club has put us in the position that we are now in. The forward line would look much better with Waite, Betts and Garlett in there but they are at other clubs and we need to move on from those decisions. Casboult is not a full forward but at the moment he is our best option. In my opinion he is best suited as a roaming CHF where he can take the big marks and pump it into the forward 50. Even if McKay and Silvagni were fit their immature bodies would not be up to playing in the seniors let alone in a key position. Keep the faith true blue.

Mattyb - both the AFL site and the age had Plowman & Kerrideg in the best - they don't get in if they didn't go well. Summer wasn't fantastic but still hit the scoreboard - positive signs abound.

The thing that marks the modern Carlton side, when they are down, is that they do not have stirring wins that give supporters hope and something to hang their hat on. In 2014 when St Kilda sat on the bottom of the ladder they were able to thump Fremantle. Carlton's best win last year was the win over Port Adelaide that officially ended Port's season. Under Ratten Carlton had some memorable wins: two wins against Geelong, wins against St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, and Collingwood. If Murphy and Gibbs were leaders that bled for the jersey they would come out firing against Fremantle next week and inspire their team mates to give it their all. I would accept Carlton scoring under 10 goals week in week out, if they played a dour defensive brand of football that strangled the opposition, thus restricting the opposition's scoring as well. The reality is that they do not play such a brand. They cannot score while the opposition scores huge margins against them. There are too many turn overs and skill errors. Bolton says there is a disconnect between the midfield and the forwards. This needs fixing. I have lost patience with Casboult. I agree with Hal, either teach him to kick or get rid of him. I don't expect Carlton to beat Fremantle next week but I expect them to throw the kitchen sink at them and not stuff around in front of goal. Macca: If McKay and Silvagni show signs that they are better than Casboult, upon their recovery, then Bolton should play them week in week out and get rid of Casboult. If you cannot kick then you should not be playing league football. I would rather see Carlton lose games in high scoring shoot outs. At least you could walk away from the game saying the scoring is down pat and all they need to do is tighten the defense. Excuse my pessimism but the way I see it at the moment is that Carlton are so far behind the other teams.

Plowman had 10 disposals, but considering he kept Stringer goalless and then when Stringer went on the ball he blanketed Boyd I would consider his first game for the Blues pretty impressive. Sumner is there to kick goals and he picked up a couple. Considering the amount of football they have missed through injury over the last couple of years I would see their Carlton debuts as encouraging.

Did Plowman or Sumner even get double figure disposals last night? Kerridge seems to fumble a lot and has very poor disposal from what I've seen so far this year. I couldn't see to many positives for either side from what I saw. I thought the doggies won because we didn't play as bad as Carlton. I guess it depends on how low you set the positive bar though I guess.

Throw in contributions from Phillips, Lamb and last night a couple of goals from Sumner in his first game in nearly 12 months.

true blue - if you don't see positives you are looking very hard, and remember we still haven't seen McKay or Silvagni as prospective forwards due to injury.

Col - I think even Ryan would disagree with Ryan's opinion by now, Menzel playing SANFL and Kerridge and Plowman looking qualit recruits might have altered his opinion.

Mattyb, on the article Ryan wrote last year it was not only Carlton supporters who disagreed with Ryan but supporters of other teams also disagreed with Ryan's opinion.

Mattyb - on the blues "discards" Plowman, Kerridge and Wright were on in the blues best players last night and Sumner kicked 2 goals, the strategy to grab the "discards" on top of 4 first round picks is looking better every week. On the age and experience you are correct on the list but when you look at the side you see he older players on the blues list aren't playing in the 1s, Walker, Jamison, Armfield, Everitt, Wood and White all out.

Col - Rowe needs to go out of the side, far to fumbley last night. On Jones, intermingle he now has 8 goals in 2 games and has been in the best both times and I would still look at Jaksch (who kicked 3) first.