SUPERSTAR Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli has played his best game of the season to guide his side to a 21-point victory at Etihad Stadium and consign Carlton to its worst start in VFL/AFL history.
Since the competition began in 1897, the Blues have never started the season 0-6, with the 11.14 (80) to 8.11 (59) loss sure to heap more pressure on coach Brendon Bolton as his side was exposed under the Friday night spotlight.
It was a game littered with errors under the roof, particularly so in the third quarter. Bontempelli, who was the classiest player on the ground, managed to hit both goalposts with set shots he would normally complete with ease that term, while another play saw Dogs forward Billy Gowers concede consecutive 50m penalties.
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However, Bontempelli’s pinpoint foot skills were exemplified by his four score assists.
For Carlton, it was once again a case of too much being left to stand-in captain Patrick Cripps. His output has remained immense, even in the absence of regular skipper Marc Murphy (left foot), Sam Docherty (left knee) and Matthew Kreuzer (groin), but the 23-year-old had little support as he notched up 32 disposals, 24 contested possessions and 12 clearances.
So outstanding was Cripps’ opening term that Bontempelli was sent to him at stoppages in the second quarter – a mark of respect for the game the powerful Blue was having. That match-up was salivating to watch, but it was one of the few interesting aspects of a contest that otherwise descended into a slog.
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Bolton lamented Carlton's inefficiency with the football.
"We gave them goals, and full credit to the Dogs, they put some pressure on, but we turned the ball over going out of defence," Bolton said.
"That, coupled with when going inside-50, not connecting, hurt us. I think they would've kicked nine goals from turnovers and we only kicked three – something like that.
"We needed to use the ball better out of defence and we definitely needed to use it better going inside 50."
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The game was befitting 18th (Carlton) v 16th (Western Bulldogs) on the ladder coming into the weekend's action. Nevertheless, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge would see plenty of positives as his team, the youngest and least-experienced to be fielded this round, posted its second win of the year.
"It was a pretty even contribution. I was really happy with one or two of the boys with the sacrifices they made for the team," Beveridge said.
"Caleb (Daniel) was quite good trying to negate (Kade) Simpson, who's a good player, although he still got a bit of the ball. And ‘Bonti’ (Marcus Bontempelli) and Johnny (Jack Macrae) did a good job on Patrick Cripps after quarter-time, I felt.
"They were important roles for the team."
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No Bulldog had 150 games experience to his name.
Toby McLean showed his improvement as an onballer and combined well with Jack Macrae, and Tom Boyd had a hot start to indicate he's improving since starting the year in the VFL, although he finished with 1.3.
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That was indicative of the Dogs' goalkicking and their waywardness kept the Blues in the contest.
Ultimately, too many were quiet for Carlton and Bolton will have to look closely at who he can bring in to the side after the Bulldogs were allowed to dominate uncontested possessions (263-200).
Experienced Blue Dale Thomas continued to have an impact in defence and young left-footer Zac Fisher again showed he could be a star, while Levi Casboult slotted two goals in his 100th game and looked dangerous at times.
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In a sight very rarely seen, classy Bulldog Caleb Daniel was forced to play much of the second half without a helmet after it was damaged – that headwear being the same one he had worn since junior football.
MEDICAL ROOM
Western Bulldogs: Lin Jong might be sporting a sore head after copping a huge falcon in the opening term, but impressively, he didn't leave the ground. Aaron Naughton went off under the blood rule late in that quarter with a cut on a leg.
Carlton: Draftee Paddy Dow had his left knee assessed on the boundary in the last term but returned to the field.
NEXT UP
The Western Bulldogs will play their second-ever game in Ballarat when they travel to MARS Stadium to host Gold Coast next Saturday afternoon while Carlton has an enormous task ahead as it tries to break its losing streak in South Australia, with a clash against Adelaide that night.
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WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.5 7.8 9.12 11.14 (80)
CARLTON 3.1 4.3 6.6 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Lipinski 3, Gowers 2, Wallis, Macrae, McLean, Boyd, Daniel, Dale
Carlton: Casboult 2, McKay, Fisher, Phillips, Wright, C.Curnow, Silvagni
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Hunter, McLean, Suckling
Carlton: Cripps, Fisher, Thomas, Phillips, Casboult
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brown, Nicholls, Findlay
Official crowd: 33,915 at Etihad Stadium
