At the 15 minute-mark of the third term of Saturday night’s win over Carlton, Jason Johannisen launched a long goal from the edge of the centre square that sailed through, half-post height. 

It was a spectacular play, soured only seconds later when the in-form defender reached for an injured hamstring.

It was a moment that changed how the rest of game was to be played, the Bulldogs all of the sudden one man down on the bench.

Liam Picken, speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au post-match said that the work put in over the pre-season ensured the Dogs had the legs to cover the loss.

“Obviously when you do go one down on the bench, you do have to work a bit harder… [but] it’s going to happen during the season, it’s going to happen to other sides, so you’ve just got prepare.”

The Bulldogs kept the Blues goal-less from the 25-minute mark of the first term until the fourth minute of the third quarter, the buffer good enough to sustain a Carlton fight-back, the Dogs eventually running out 36-point winners.

Picken said it was hard-going in the last quarter, particularly without Johannisen, but it was the sign of a good side that to be able to grind out a win.

“I think we went pretty well tonight, coping with it, we handled it pretty well.

“You look at the boys now, they’re tired but it makes it all worth it to get the four points.”