First half
Key Plays
The Western Bulldogs come out the more determined of the two sides, dominating possession and finding the first goal through Jarrad Grant.
Carlton were quick to respond with Troy Menzel evening the score at the other end of the ground from the next centre bounce.
The pressure from both sides was strong across the ground, as the two sides continued to create opportunities in front of goal.
Liam Jones found his first, recovering after a missed mark to still convert the major before Dennis Armfield responded for the Blues - but was only able to add a behind.
A 50m penalty rewarded to Troy Menzel saw Carlton assume the lead for the first time in the contest when he converted the shot in front of the big sticks.
The Bulldogs had the chance to again level the scores when Daniel Cross took a shot but was unable to convert. The veteran worked hard to create his second opportunity in as many minutes but again was unable to find goals.
Repeat defensive efforts in the Bulldogs backline allowed them to prevent Carlton from increasing the margin before successfully moving the ball out of the danger zone.
Luke Dahlhaus provided another opportunity for the Bulldogs on goals but he too was unable to convert the shot.
The Bulldogs kicked the next three behinds through Ryan Griffen and two to Dylan Addison, bringing their tally to six.
Despite the inaccuracy in front of goals the Bulldogs carried the lead into the second term.
Player of the quarter
Jarrad Grant continued to repay the faith with a number of solid contributions across the quarter. Opening the scoring with the Bulldogs first goal, Grant had a hand in a number of attacking plays and was finding plenty of the ball. He finished the quarter with eight disposals at 87.5% efficiency, two marks, two inside 50s and a tackle.
Statistical snapshot
- Adam Cooney found four more possessions than any opposition player with a game high 12 disposals in the first term
- The Bulldogs had almost double the number of inside 50s as the Blues with 19 to Carlton’s 10.
- Despite winning three less hitouts, the Bulldogs had four extra clearances - including Ryan Griffen and Tom Liberatore who boasted three each in the first quarter
Progressive scores
Carlton 2. 1. (13) trail Western Bulldogs 2. 6. (18)
Second quarter
Key Plays
Both sides struggled to to produce a major early in the term, with three behinds shared between the two teams.
Finally some reprieve was granted to the Bulldogs through Liam Picken who was able to produce the first goal for either side since 14 minutes into the first quarter.
Again Carlton did not hesitate with a response, finding a big sticks with Lachie Henderson taking the honours.
Tom Campbell showed real heart when, after a strong collision with the goal post, he recovered to take his shot on front of goal and kicked truly.
Lachie Henderson found his second major for the term in the Blues forward line before Luke Dahlhaus received a Jarrad Grant handpass and snapped the goal.
Grant continued to announce himself in the forward line, taking a mark from the tightest of angles and converting the shot, increasing the Bulldogs buffer to 22 points.
Easton Wood was the next Bulldog in line to take a shot on goal, in his first game back since round three, but the defender was unable to finish.
Shortly after Tory Dickson had his opportunity, which he took with both hands, marking in the forward line and drilling the kick.
The Bulldogs continued to dominate a number of key indicators across the stats board, leading strongly in contested possessions, clearances, tackles and inside 50s.
Teamwork led to the away sides next major, with a cross from Daniel Giansiracusa allowing Liam Jones to run into an open goal square and extend the margin to 28 points.
Following on from recent weeks, it was a tough, unrelenting brand of football on display from the away side, preventing Carlton from kicking a goal for over 16 minutes in the second quarter.
The battle was heated in the dying minutes of the term, with Carlton taking the final shot through Ed Curnow to reduce the margin to 15 points.
Player of the quarter
After re-signing during the week, Tom Liberatore came out all guns blazing against the Blues, building on recent form. At the half time break the 21-year-old boasted 15 disposals at 86.7% efficiency, seven clearances (two more than any other player on field) and two tackles.
Statistical snapshot
- Jarrad Grant has had four contributions on the scoreboard in the first half, including two goals, a behind and a goal assist
- The Bulldogs have won eight more clearances, had 43 more possessions, 11 more inside 50s and 17 more contested possessions. They also equal Carlton in tackles (38)
- The Bulldogs had six different goal scorers in the second term
Progressive scores
Carlton 6. 6. (42) trail Western Bulldogs 8. 9. (57)
