The Carlton Blues have added another win to their ledger in the AFLF, defeating the Western Bulldogs in a high-scoring match by a goal.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Carlton Blues 8.6.54
Western Bulldogs 7.6.48
The Western Bulldogs and Carlton Blues are both trying to keep their fading final hopes alive at the business end of the AFLW season. Catch all the action on The Roar from 11:35am (AEDT).
The Bulldogs lost a key clash with Collingwood in Round 4, leaving the Dogs in fifth with just three games to go.
The Bulldogs struggled in front of goal, kicking seven behinds to just three goals, and it cost them late as Collingwood took the lead in the second half and held on.
Carlton, on the other hand, have two wins and two losses from their campaign so far, sitting in fourth spot, trying to chase down the undefeated Adelaide and Brisbane at the top of the standings.
But despite a second-half surge that saw them draw level late in the game, Carlton lost by a single goal to Melbourne last week, denting their finals campaign and pushing them two games behind the coveted top-two finish needed to progress.
Carlton has the strike weapon of the tournament in their ranks, though. Darcy Vescio has dominated the forward line this season, racking up a league-high eight goals and becoming a real game changer for her side.
The rest of the team has kicked a combined total of 13.
In comparison, the leading goal scorers for the Bulldogs are Kirsten McLeod and Katie Brennan, with three goals each, in a year of hard fought, but lowing-scoring footy.
Having battled with back problems, Briana Davey returns to the side for the Blues this week after missing last round.
For the Bulldogs, Aasta O’Connor is back, after withdrawing late from the Collingwood clash, while Romy Timmins also makes her way into the squad for her second game of the season.
Both sides have a mathematical chance of making the inaugural AFLW grand final, but it’s going to take an undefeated run through the rest of the season and for results to go their way.
While not ideal, Carlton can afford a loss in the last few weeks, having won half their games, but it’s do-or-die for the Bulldogs now, who need to rely on the top three losing all of their games as well.
Prediction
Both teams are in a tight spot, chasing the leading pack, and that kind of attitude can bring out desperate footy.
Overall, Carlton has looked the better side this season, but the Bulldogs have been able to match anyone on their day, yet struggled to finish off games.
With plenty of power up front and a few changes in hand, the Dogs should get home and keep their season alive.
Western Bulldogs to win by 9
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Carlton hold on as the final siren sounds and relief comes over the faces of the Blues. What a tight finish that was and the Bulldogs are gutted that they couldn't complete the comeback. Three goals on the trot in the final quarter gave them hope of sneaking home but the Blues were just able to hold on by a single goal after dominating the middle sector of the game. Through the second and third quarter the Bulldogs scored just ten points with a single goal while the Blues shook off a shaky first term with 34 points through that same period. They took a 19-point lead into the last quarter and that was enough for them to get the win and keep their final hopes alive. Bulldogs 7.6 (48) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Bulldogs hammering the Carlton defence here but they just can't find that last kick to put it away!! The tension is insane. Both sides desperate for victory. Bulldogs 7.6 (48) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Bulldogs getting the footy down in front of goal once again, the Carlton defence desperaetly scrambling to get back and make the save. Bulldogs 7.6 (48) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Carlton looking frantic now as the Dogs close in on them. Could it be too little too late though for the Bulldogs with the clock running down. Bulldogs 7.6 (48) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BULLDOGS!!! Back to back to back for the Western Bulldogs and they are knocking on the door of Carlton now with the clock winding down. Brooke Lochland becomes the fifth different goal scorer for the Dogs today and reduces the lead once more, now down to just one goal. Big finish coming up!! Bulldogs 7.6 (48) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' the Blues look to be playing for the siren, falling back into defensive mode but they're opening up a lot of space for the Dogs to work with because of it. Bulldogs 6.5 (41) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BULLDOGS!! The Dogs get another one and this game is beginning to turn on its head. Meghan McDonald adds six points to the tally and the lead is now cut down to 13. Not ideal for the Bulldogs but they're not giving up. Bulldogs 6.5 (41) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Bulldogs threatening down the boundary line now and they're finding themselves inside the forward 50 once again. The Blues looking a little nervous here. Bulldogs 5.5 (35) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL BULLDOGS!! Is there hope yet? Laura Bailey scores the Dogs first goal since the first half and a vital time to do it as well. Calm finish from her and she makes it look easy but the battle is still well and truly on. Bulldogs 5.5 (35) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Bulldogs trying to push up front and they make headway inside forward 50. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL CARLTON!! Darcy Vescio that is massive!! The Bulldogs needed that first goal to reel in the lead but Vescio has cut the legs out from underneath them, bagging her third of the day and dashing the hopes of the opposition, pushing the lead out beyond four goals. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 8.6 (54)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' A tight opening to the last quarter, neither side giving an inch as they wrestle through traffic through centre field. Who will break first? Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 7.6 (48)
Connor Bennett
Editor
FINAL QUARTER A big last term coming up!! The Blues have the upper hand and all the momentum, but a game can change so quickly the Bulldogs still have a chance at this. They need to score first if they want to get a roll on and keep the Blues fighting to hold onto their lead. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 7.6 (48)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
THREE QUARTER TIME Another big quarter for the Blues and they have one hand on this win heading into the final break. 15 points to just 2 in the third quarter and the Bulldogs are really in trouble now. The Dogs have been continuously opened up through centre field and it's allowed Carlton to waltz into the forward 50 time and time again. The Bulldogs have a big task ahead of them. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 7.6 (48)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q3' Ayre looking for another one!! But this time she sprays it through the outside gate for a behind in her search for back to back six-pointers. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 7.6 (48)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q3' GOAL CARLTON!!! Well the Bulldogs thought they might just be turning the tides in their favour for a second but Belle Ayre has come along and ruined their momentum with her second goal of the day. Superb effort in the end from the teenager and she finishes it off without a hitch. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 7.5 (47)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q3' And another one for the Dogs. Ellie Blackburn notches up her first miss of the day, bagging a behind to go with her three goals and things could just be beginning to turn a little for the Bulldogs. Bulldogs 4.5 (29) Carlton 6.5 (41)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q3' Well the Dogs pounced on a bit of counter there and nearly caught the Blues napping but they just sneak a behind in the end. They need to kick the next goal in this game. Bulldogs 4.4 (28) Carlton 6.5 (41)