The Dogs went into the game needing a win to climb into the top eight, but they lost by 28 points and fell to 15th on the ladder with a game against a resurgent Adelaide to come next Sunday.

"We're under pressure now," McCartney said. "It's us. Well, pressure's not the right word.

"We've got to fight back now and come out snarling next week."

The Bulldogs were unable to cope with an onslaught of high-risk attacking play from the Blues, who had lost their previous four matches.

McCartney's men were 30 points down at half-time, with the coach particularly disappointed that they had conceded 13 goals.

"There was a bit of talk about dealing with the start," McCartney said. "I'm not sure we read the ball that well out on the ground today.

"The game was way too open, it was circle work, it was up and back, and that's not what we're about.

"I don't think any team wants to play like that, and we're no different.

"It was a tricky one today. A lot of our boys, we felt, just got caught between, 'Do I attack or do I defend?’ Once you second-guess yourself and hesitate, it's gone.

"There was about a 30-minute patch in the game where we got caught in that nasty zone."

The upside for the Dogs was the way they fought back in the second half, narrowing the margin from 37 points in the third quarter to just 17 halfway through the final term.

Yet they were unable to take their chances in a frantic finish, with Stewart Crameri, who finished with four goals, missing an easy chance to bring his team within striking distance.

"I touched on it briefly with the players," McCartney said. "There was a bit of a nervousness to snatch at it and rush it … and that happens in a game. It's not ideal. 

"They were jumping for joy, the Carlton boys, because it was almost like, 'Phew, we've dodged a bullet.' 

"But for all that, I don't believe we really deserved to be that close. They outplayed us, they were good around the ball, they beat us away from the ball, they played really well. 

"They deserved the four points and the right team won the game."

Among the other positives was the debut of No.4 draft pick Marcus Bontempelli, who picked up 14 touches.

"It was a bit hot for him early," McCartney said. "A tough initiation, because his team was on the ropes, too. But, gee, he's a great kid."

McCartney was also full of praise for Ryan Griffen, with the coach declaring that the skipper's 32-disposal game was his best performance of the season.

The Dogs are hoping that key defender Dale Morris, who missed the match through suspension but is also battling an ankle problem, will be fit to return for next weekend's clash with the Crows at Etihad Stadium.

Morris was sorely missed against Carlton, with fellow defenders Tom Williams, Tom Young and Michael Talia struggling to contain Blues key forwards Lachie Henderson and Jarrad Waite, who bagged eight goals between them.

"We've been really protective (of Morris' ankle)," McCartney said. "We've had him in a boot all week.

"He was in a boot today. If you saw him, you'd probably say he's no chance, but that's more to protect it.

"We're pretty optimistic he'll play. He's a tough character.

"But if he doesn't, some of those boys that had good moments and horror moments today have just got to butter up and play for us."

Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol