The Western Bulldogs have suffered a 28-point loss to Carlton in round nine of the VFLW at VU Whitten Oval.

The visitors were hot out of the blocks, kicking the first goal of the game in the opening two minutes, before running out 1.5 (11) to 5.9 (39) over a young Bulldogs’ outfit.

The Bulldogs managed to hold the Blues scoreless in the second quarter, but could only add two behinds to the board.

Inaccuracy plagued both sides in the third, before an arm wrestle in the last.

Mary Sandral was the sole goalkicker for the hosts, while AFLW-listed player Brit Gutknecht returned with a match-high 22 disposals and eight tackles.

Naomi Ferres also impressed, registering 16 touches and three marks, while Tahlia Meier (16, three marks) and Lucy Schneider (16, two marks) were important.

Captain Riley Christgoergl battled hard with a team-high six marks.

The Bulldogs will next host Essendon at 2pm on Saturday 30 April.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     0.0          0.2          1.4          1.5 (11)

CARLTON                         2.6          2.6          4.8          5.9 (39)

Goal: Sandral.