The Western Bulldogs have withstood a fierce second half Carlton comeback to secure their sixth win of the season.

The Dogs led by 31 points during the third quarter, but Carlton responded with six straight goals either side of three-quarter time to take the lead early in the final stanza.

With the game on the line, the Bulldogs steadied by kicking the final four goals of the contest to win by 20 points.

The win solidifies the Dogs’ position in the top eight, having now notched six wins from their last seven games.

Anthony Scott booted three goals and Rory Lobb two as the winners’ multiple goalkickers, while Bailey Smith racked up game-high 30 disposals.

Bulldogs running defenders Bailey Dale (28 disposals), Jason Johannisen (26) and Ed Richards (25 and 10 marks) were influential in the win, while the team’s key backs limited the influence of the dangerous combination of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

The midfield brigade got better as the game went on, with Tom Liberatore winning 26 disposals (a game-high 14 contested) and nine tackles, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli finished with 25 disposals and nine tackles.

With only five goals scored in a dour first half, the game sprung to life in the third quarter as the Dogs – through back-to-back majors from Rory Lobb, extended their lead to over five goals.

But the Blues found a way back into the contest on the back of four straight goals to finish the third term, to reduce the margin to eight points at the final change.

Matthew Owies’ third major put Carlton within one point, and Sam Walsh made it six straight goals for the Blues when he put them in front.

The Bulldogs turned the tide through Liberatore, who kicked a brilliant running goal under pressure to snatch back the lead for his side.

Carlton responded through Curnow, before a brilliant right-foot snap from energetic forward Arty Jones put the Dogs up with just over six minutes remaining.

Bailey Smith made the lead eight points with a classy finish, before Jamarra Ugle-Hagan nailed a set shot and Scott put the icing on the cake with a clever snap.

The Bulldogs host the Adelaide Crows at Mars Stadium in Ballarat next Saturday in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

CARLTON                         0.3     1.4     5.8     8.11     (59)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.2     4.4     6.10     11.13    (79)

GOALS
Carlton: Owies 3, C.Curnow 2, Durdin, Hewett, Walsh
Western Bulldogs: Scott 3, Lobb 2, Johannisen, Naughton, Liberatore, A.Jones, Smith, Ugle-Hagan

BEST
Carlton: Walsh, Kennedy, Cripps, Docherty, Saad, Owies
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Smith, Bontempelli, Daniel, A.Jones

INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Ed Curnow (replaced Ollie Hollands at three-quarter time)
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (replaced James O'Donnell in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 42,756 at Marvel Stadium