MATCH SUMMARY
The Western Bulldogs have snapped their three-game losing streak in the most dramatic of fashion, by three points over Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
The Bulldogs looked to have the game sewn up when they led by 34 points at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter, before the Blues unleashed a comeback with the last five goals to almost snatch victory.
A knee injury to Tom Liberatore was the sour point of the win, with the recently re-signed midfielder suffering a knee injury which will require scans in the coming days.
The win came on the back of an outstanding performance from in-form midfielder Josh Dunkley, while Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow booted seven goals in a losing side.
The Bulldogs improved their record to five wins and seven losses ahead of a clash with Collingwood next Sunday.
ROUND 13 POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE
THE DEFINING MOMENTS
Carlton surge 1: The Bulldogs started well, dominated for large parts of the first half and found themselves more than 30 points up in the second quarter. But the Blues lifted and booted five goals in a row to hit the lead heading into three quarter time.
Bulldogs steady: Some inspirational individual efforts turned the game back in the Dogs’ favour, and they booted two goals before the final change and four straight at the start of the last to seemingly kill off the contest.
Carlton surge 2: As Blues fans headed for the exits, their team flicked the switch again and got to within three points with just under three minutes remaining. Cue pandemonium, as players threw themselves into every contest. A free kick to Dunkley with seconds remaining at half back was the final act of the game.
SHINING LIGHTS
Josh Dunkley was simply outstanding for the Bulldogs all night, amassing a career-best 41 disposals (his previous best was 36), including 15 in the first quarter. He won it in close, provided a link in scoring chains and hit the scoreboard.
Pat Lipinski played his best game for the Club, in his new role as a midfielder. The 20-year-old was playing just his 21st career game against the Blues, and he combined ball-winning ability with impressive run and carry. His three games this season have yielded 23, 23 and 29 possessions.
Tim English took another positive step in the ruck, proving his ability to control the stoppages, work hard around the ground, and found the big sticks.
Jack Macrae was given the job of minding Carlton gun Patrick Cripps, and he kept him to 22 disposals while finding plenty of his own ball going the other way.
THE LAST TWO MINUTES: BULLDOGS V BLUES
STATS SHEET
The Bulldogs eclipsed the 400-mark for team disposals, with Dunkley (41), Macrae (37) and Caleb Daniel (32) leading the way.
Their running game was a feature, with the Dogs amassing 42 more handball receives than Carlton and 70 more uncontested possessions.
The Bulldogs also shaded the contested ball count by three, the inside 50s by four and the clearances by six, and won the tackles by 15 (Dunkley recorded 10 himself – the fifth time in his career he has reached double figures).
WATCH THE TEAM SONG AFTER THE WIN OVER THE BLUES
MATCH DETAILS
CARLTON 2.1 6.3 10.9 15.10 (100)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.2 9.6 11.9 15.13 (103)
GOALS
Carlton: Curnow 7, Cunningham 2, Murphy, McGovern, Kreuzer, Dow, Thomas, McKay
Western Bulldogs: Lloyd 3, Dickson 2, English 2, Lipinski 2, McLean, Dunkley, Gardner, Suckling, Smith, Naughton
BEST
Carlton: C.Curnow, Cripps, Simpson, Setterfield, Murphy, Weitering
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Bontempelli, Lipinski, Suckling, Macrae, Daniel, Trengove
Official crowd: 35,479 at Marvel Stadium
NEXT WEEK
Round 14, Western Bulldogs v Collingwood, Sunday June 23, Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm.
