When and where: Saturday 13 July, 4.35pm AEST, Marvel Stadium
Broadcast: Fox Footy/Kayo
Head-to-head: Played 152 (won 58, drawn four, lost 90)
Last time we met: Round 9 2023, WB 11.13 (79) def. Carlton 8.11 (59)

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What it means

After a disappointing outing against Port Adelaide, the Bulldogs will be itching to respond against the Blues on their home deck. The Dogs pulled off an upset win over Carlton last season, and usually relish being the ‘underdogs’. A win would give the Dogs some breathing space ahead of the run home, while hopefully providing some momentum.

Who to watch

The midfield battle will be one to watch on Saturday afternoon, with Marcus Bontempelli taking on Carlton counterpart Patrick Cripps. Head-to-head, the two are pretty much on par this season – Bontempelli averaging 24 disposals, five tackles, five clearances and one goal, while Cripps is averaging 26 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances.

Shop early, avoid the rush

With only standing room tickets remaining for the clash, Bulldogs members are encouraged to get to the game early to secure their seat. Reserved Seat members or General Admission members will still be permitted to scan in to access the match until allocation is exhausted. 

Kids go FREE

This weekend will also play host to ‘Kids Go Free’ round – with all kids aged 14 years old and under given free access to 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership matches across the country. In addition to free admission, there’ll be plenty on offer for kids at Marvel Stadium this Saturday – with kids’ food specials, complimentary popcorn, fairy floss and fruit, DJs, competitions, upgrades and more! Kids must have a valid ticket – for more on redeeming please click here.

Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud

As part of NAIDOC Week, the Bulldogs will wear their 2024 Indigenous guernseys against the Blues. This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud. The theme honours the enduring strength of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Bulldogs Shop will also have 30% off the 2024 Indigenous range to mark the occasion.

Check before you travel

Buses/coaches replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Geelong and Warrnambool lines and tram routes 30, 35, 86, 57 and 82. La Trobe Street will be closed between Harbour Esplanade and Queen Street. Visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions/special-events to plan your journey ahead of time.

The Western Bulldogs have temporarily shot into the top eight with a statement-making 14.16 (100) to 12.14 (86) win against Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

In a premiership race that looks more and more open each week, the Dogs are presenting as a genuine contender, and Saturday's win in a high-quality contest has put the competition on notice.

The Dogs wasted opportunities through the first quarter, kicking 0.7 for the term, while at the other end the Blues were converting to take a 15-point lead into the first break despite the two sides having 12 inside 50s each.

The second quarter saw the Bulldogs getting a better return on investment, kicking seven goals to Carlton's four in a scintillating term in which the lead changed five times, the Dogs eventually with their noses in front at the long break.

As the game progressed it was the Bulldogs that set the pace, led by Rhylee West who kicked two goals in the third quarter, and when he kicked his fourth for the match early in the final term the lead stretched to a game-high 23 points.

However, this Carlton side isn't one to be underestimated, and within a couple of minutes goals to Charlie Curnow and Patrick Cripps, in his 200th game, had the margin back to 11 before Jamarra Ugle-Hagan stretched it back to three goals.

Ugle-Hagan and West both finished with four each, while Bailey Dale finished with a game-high 31 disposals, four marks, 638 metres gained and a goal.

Tim English registered 19 disposals to go with 32 hit-outs, while Marcus Bontempelli notched up 20 possessions and eight clearances. 

The Bulldogs' next challenge will be Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   0.7    7.9    11.14    14.16 (100)
CARLTON                      3.4    7.6    10.10    12.14 (86)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: West 4, Ugle-Hagan 4, Williams, Weightman, Poulter, Dale, Bontempelli, Darcy
Carlton: Curnow 3, McKay 3, Owies 2, Cripps 2, Cincotta, E.Hollands

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan, Dale, West, Bontempelli, Liberatore
Carlton: Cripps, Newman, Weitering, McKay, Acres

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: 
Carlton: Williams (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Adam Treloar (calf) replaced in selected side by Harvey Gallagher

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Riley Garcia
Carlton: Matthew Kennedy, replaced Zac Williams in the second quarter

Crowd: 45,387 at Marvel Stadium