THE WESTERN Bulldogs will anxiously await the outcome of scans on the right hamstring of key playmaker Shaun Higgins.

Higgins was subbed out of the clash with Carlton early in the third quarter at Etihad Stadium and appears destined to be sidelined for a mandatory three weeks.

Watch Brendan McCartney and Brian Lake's post match press conference on the media player above.

Asked for a progress report on Higgins' injury, Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney seemed resigned to the likelihood of losing the 24-year-old.

"It just looks like a hamstring (injury)," he said after his side's 18-point loss. "But I'm not a doctor - I'll wait 'til they tell me.

"He was building good form and he was becoming the sort of player we want him to be, and that's terrific for Shaun because he has made some adaptions to his game.

"If he does miss some footy we're going to miss him, that's for sure."

The Bulldogs were also left to lament another winnable game that got away, following earlier close losses against Collingwood and Geelong at the same venue.

McCartney rued losing a series of critical contests in the final term.

"We did a lot right to create the opportunity (to win) and then lost the opportunity in the last quarter," he said.

"There were a significant number of just little, subtle, one-on-one battles that they won. Off the back of that, a Carlton player bobbed up in a bit of space and they were very good with their finishing."

McCartney also admitted his side didn’t make the most of their ruck ascendancy, with Will Minson ensuring the Bulldogs won the hitouts 59-19 against a combination of key-position players like debutant Levi Casboult and Brett Thornton. However, the clearance count favoured the Dogs by just five (39-34).

"We certainly could have capitalised on our work better around the stoppages," McCartney said. "We could have been more productive and probably got the ball into some more attacking positions."