The Western Bulldogs have extended their winning streak to three with a tough 17-point win over Carlton, handing them the wooden spoon in the process.
Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli were prolific for the Dogs with 36 and 37 disposals respectively, while ever-consistent veteran Kade Simpson wound back the clock with 35 disposals off half-back for the Blues.
In a battle of two of the competition’s most inexperienced sides, it was sure to be an intriguing contest between at Etihad Stadium.
Looking to finish their respective seasons on a high, it was a slow start under the roof as both teams hit the contest hard early.
It would take eight minutes for the first score to be registered, with high flying sensation Charlie Curnow getting the Blues off to a positive start.
Playing a fierce and determined game style, Carlton would make life difficult for the Dogs early as Luke Beveridge’s simply could not breach the young Blues defence.
Toby McLean would finally get the Bulldogs on the board midway through the term, as they looked to wrestle back some of the momentum.
Mature-age recruit Billy Gowers would quickly double to dose for the Bulldogs, with their running game beginning to come to life.
The Blues would do well to stem the flow however, as some nice build-up play would see Simpson put through a rare goal to level the scores in the shadows of quarter-time.
After a tough slog in the first term, both teams looked to open the game up in the second and get some consistent scores on the board.
However, it would be a similar goalless start to the second term as both teams struggled with their entries inside the forward 50.
Curnow would eventually stop the rot for the Blues, threading the needle from the boundary for his second and giving his team the lead.
It wouldn’t last long however, as some loose checking in defence by Carlton saw Lin Jong slip through the cracks and goal from a relatively simple set shot.
With the game constantly on a knife's edge, Jackson Trengove would impose himself on proceedings with his first goal to give the Dogs an eight-point advantage.
The Blues would respond swiftly however, as a nice team orientated build up saw debutant Tim De Koning kick his first goal at AFL, much to the delight of all his teammates.
Only eight goals were kicked in the first half, as the Blues held a slight two-point advantage at the main change.
Looking for their third win in a row, the Bulldogs came out with good intent in the third term, with ever consistent midfielder Mitch Wallis putting the Dogs back in front.
This would prompt a quick response from the Blues, as a period of inspired footy would see craft forward Matthew Wright put through his first goal to give his side the lead back.
It was truly a see-sawing affair under the roof, with the desperation from both sides evident for all to see.
A solid mark and conversion by Lachie Hunter would again see the lead back with the Dogs, who would take a slight four-point advantage into the final term.
Although the result wouldn’t effect either teams' season, their will still a lot on the line entering the final term.
Youngster Paddy Dow would give the Blues the perfect start, as a contentious free kick deep in attack would see him put Carlton in front at the six-minute mark.
It wouldn’t take long for the Dogs to wrestle back the advantage, as young forward Fergus Greene put previous inaccuracy behind him to convert a crucial goal for his team.
This would see the Bulldogs finally break away from the gallant Blues, as the class of their top end talent proved to be too much.
A costly free kick given away by Jacob Weitering would gift Josh Schache his first goal to get the lead out over a goal, before being up with quick goals to Jong and Jason Johannisen as the Bulldogs looked to run the Blues off their feet late.
All Carlton could muster was a late consolation to Jack Silvagni, with the Dogs extending their winning streak to three with a hard-fought 17-point win.
The Western Bulldogs will look to finish their season with a fourth straight win as they take on the toughest task in football against Richmond at the MCG, while Carlton will hope to add a third win to their 2018 campaign with a victory against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
CARLTON 2.2 4.4 5.6 7.7 (49)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 4.2 6.4 10.6 (69)
GOALS
Carlton: C. Curnow 2, De Koning, Dow, Silvagni, Simpson, Wright
Western Bulldogs: Jong 2, Gowers, Greene, McLean, Hunter, Johannisen, Schache, Trengove, Wallis
BEST
Carlton: Simpson, E.Curnow, Cripps, Byrne, Marchbank
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Bontempelli, Macrae, Hunter, Trengove
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
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