The Western Bulldogs have weathered a late surge from a determined Carlton to hold on for a gritty 20-point AFL win at Marvel Stadium.
Cruising after they led by 31 factors early within the third quarter, the Bulldogs conceded the subsequent six objectives as Carlton grabbed the lead halfway by way of the ultimate time period.
But the Bulldogs responded in high-quality vogue, with objectives to Arthur Jones, Bailey Smith, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and a 3rd from Anthony Scott sealing the 11.13 (79) to eight.11 (59) triumph.
The victory places Luke Beveridge’s workforce into sixth on the ladder, successful a sixth recreation from their previous seven begins.
After kicking only one objective till the tenth minute of the third quarter, the Blues got here alive with a few of their finest soccer of the season throughout a scintillating interval.
Carlton had been booed off at halftime, the second time in as many weeks the passionate Blues devoted have expressed their frustration at Marvel Stadium.
Michael Voss’ Blues had been blasted from all corners of the AFL panorama after their disappointing 26-point defeat to the premiership contending Brisbane Lions.
Fans, powerbrokers and ex-players all expressed their frustration at Carlton’s begin to the season as they purpose to play within the finals for the primary time since 2013.
The Blues had been insipid for the primary two-and-a-half quarters, however ought to have the ability to take confidence from the way in which they performed later within the match.
However, Carlton’s twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay proceed to battle to have the identical influence that they had final yr.
McKay completed goal-less, spraying a set-shot from 30m out straight in entrance throughout the first quarter as he went along with his most popular snapping approach.
Curnow was essential throughout the late-game surge, slotting an enormous objective within the final quarter, and completed with 2.3, however just isn’t starring like he was throughout his Coleman Medal-winning marketing campaign final season.
For the Bulldogs, Bailey Smith was again to his prolific finest with 30 touches, whereas premiership midfielder Tom Liberatore was the catalyst within the final quarter with a significant objective.
Carlton (4-1-4) face one other big check subsequent Sunday after they tackle in-form rivals Collingwood in a blockbuster on the MCG.
The Bulldogs will head to Ballarat to host their first recreation of the season within the regional metropolis in opposition to Adelaide on Saturday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
