AFL Media
The Bulldogs dominated the clearances (44-19) and held a healthy buffer in the inside 50 count (47-37), but could not translate that advantage onto the scoreboard until the final term.
Dunkley again starred in a midfield role, finishing with 36 disposals and six tackles for the afternoon.
Bontempelli (36), Hunter (33) and Macrae (32) all chipped in to do their bit, with their experience and superior aerobic capacities coming to the fore late in the game.
Jason Johannisen's run and carry from defence was important with 24 touches, and Caleb Daniel's poise and control with ball in hand emphasised his much-improved second half of the season.
Best: Dunkley, Bontempelli, Hunter, Johannisen, Wallis, Macrae
- Ben Guthrie
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Herald Sun
The Bulldogs have racked up massive midfield numbers in recent weeks but against the Blues they got little reward early despite again padding the stats sheet.
Finally after nine lead changes they found the composure to launch the matchwinning surge.
Bontempelli and Dunkley are fire and ice, Dunkley a hard-nut ball winner who mixed 36 sometimes wayward possessions with 0.3 and The Bont’s scalpel of a left foot setting up a string of attacking thrusts.
Around them Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae continued excellent seasons with the Dogs having strung together three consecutive wins and eight for the year.
It is a platform for Luke Beveridge to build on even if this afternoon’s work will quickly disappear from the memory bank for all involved.
- Jon Ralph
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The Age
A final-quarter flourish from the Western Bulldogs has delivered Luke Beveridge's side a 17-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in a close game that was defined by a lack of class.
That's not to say there were no classy players on the field; rather, the congestion and pressure in the game wouldn't allow many to break free from the mire for long enough to produce flowing football.
Dunkley dominated in the midfield, Bontempelli was crucial with his poise, Lachie Hunter used the ball well, Jason Johannisen ran hard off half back and Mitch Wallis provided a lot of steel.
It also helped that they had veterans Dale Morris and Easton Wood down back, helping steady the ship when Curnow, Harry McKay and De Koning threatened to turn the game at various stages
Best: J Dunkley, M Bontempelli, L Hunter, J Johannisen, M Wallis, J Macrae
- Anthony Colangelo
