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.
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01:05
Inner Sanctum | Bevo Post RD18
Sit in on the post game address after the win over Carlton.
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13:36
Luke Beveridge | Post Match (RD18)
Watch Bevo's press conference following our win over Carlton.
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00:56
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan | 'That's the way we play our football'
Marra discusses the round 18 win over Carlton.
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00:23
Team Song: Western Bulldogs | Round 18
Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their Round 18 win over Carlton.
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01:37
AFL RD18 | Marra's fantastic four
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan helps get the Dogs over the line with a pivotal four-goal showing.
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07:09
AFL RD18 | Match Highlights
All the highlights from our 14-point win over Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
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00:46
Jamarra just can’t stop scoring with fine fourth
The Bulldogs continue to inch closer to pulling off a huge win as Jamarra Ugle-Hagan snares goal number four.
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00:30
Bont breaks out his best in swinging stunner
Marcus Bontempelli delivers a cracking effort on the burst to lift his side.
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00:29
Weightman gets lift-off in sizzling early speccy
Cody Weightman wows the crowd in the first term with a stunning mark.
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11:08
Luke Beveridge | 'Lowered our colours as a collective'
Bevo speaks to the media ahead of the round 18 clash with Carlton.
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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
