The Dogs mounted a stirring late comeback, but it wasn't enough, Carlton winning 21.12(138) to 19.14 (128).

Carlton set up the win with aneight-goals-to-two third quarter, but the Bulldogs dug deep to be down by justtwo points when Peter Street goaled with just over six minutes left in thematch.

But that was the last score for the Dogs, with Marc Murphy scoring the last goal in a shootout tosee his side home.

Scott West was the leading possessionwinner for the Bulldogs with 31 touches, Adam Cooney was prominent with 24disposals and two goals and Brad Johnson was the leading goal scorer withthree.

Andrew Carrazzo had arguably the best gameof his career for Carltonwith 37 possessions.

The Blues jumped out of the blocks with thefirst two goals of the match, but Johnson and Nathan Eagleton hit back as theDogs got themselves organised.

It was end to end stuff with neither sideable to establish a clear break. Brendan Fevola and Luke Blackwell clawedback the lead for Carlton after Shaun Higgins and Jason Akermanis had goaledwithin a minute of each other.

The Bulldogs enjoyed a purple patch towardthe end of the term which included Johnson’s second, but a late goal to AndrewWalker cut the Dogs’ lead to just two points at the first break.

A little pace came off the game inthe second, but the Bulldogs soon put on another burst, including a fine effortfrom Ryan Griffen from 50, but the Blues hit back once more and were just threepoints down when Adam Bentick capitalised on the Dogs’ inability to clear froma kick-in.

Goals to Higgins and Johnson gave theirside a handy 15-point buffer at half time and Adam Cooney extended it to 22when he danced around Kade Simpson to slot his first, but then theBlues launched their onslaught.

Matthew Lappin led the charge with threegoals in succession, Heath Scotlandgave his side the lead with a goal 13 minutes in and when Lappin booted his fourthof the term shortly before the last change the Dogs were staring down thebarrel of a 19-point deficit.

Jarrad Waite made the task harder when hebooted his third early in the last quarter, but Cooney then Ryan Hargravegoaled to give Dogs fans hope. Jordan Bannister struck from long range but wasanswered by Lindsay Gilbee only to see time run out for the Dogs as Murphysealed the result.

Carlton    7.2  10.5 18.8   21.12 (138)

Western Bulldogs    7.3  12.8  14.13  19.14(128)

GOALS

Carlton: Lappin 5, Fisher 3, Waite 3, Murphy 2, Walker, Bentick, Whitnall, Blackwell, O'hAilpin, Fevola,Scotland, Bannister

Western Bulldogs: Johnson 3, Eagleton 2, Giansiracusa2, Cooney 2, Higgins 2, Hahn, Gilbee, Power, Griffen, Akermanis,Hargrave, Robbins, Street

BEST

Carlton: Carrazzo, Bannister, Lappin, Waite, Murphy, Fisher, Thornton

Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Harris, West, Cross

Umpires: H Kennedy M Stevic DWoodcock

Official Crowd: 37,535 at the MCG