MARCUS Bontempelli is in doubt for the Western Bulldogs' final home and away season game against Richmond next week after battling through a back injury in Sunday's 17-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

Coach Luke Beveridge revealed the star midfielder barely trained this week after he landed heavily on his back in an aerial contest with North Melbourne's Luke McDonald early in last weekend's game between the Dogs and Kangaroos.

Despite gathering 37 disposals in a superb effort, Bontempelli was limited for much of Sunday's contest and was hesitant to sit on the interchange bench when he did come off the ground in case his back seized up on him.

"He's a tough young fella. He got through today, but he was in a fair bit of pain and under a fair bit of duress," Beveridge said in his post-game press conference.

BLUES GET THE SPOON Full match coverage and stats

"So, he's had an outstanding game for a player who's had that to confront."

Bontempelli received a controversial free kick for an elbow from Carlton's Jed Lamb to his back that led to a Lin Jong goal in the final quarter, which saw Bulldogs skip out to a 15-point lead.

Bontempelli went to ground despite apparent minimal contact, much to the chagrin of Blues fans who thought the midfielder staged for the free kick.

"I haven't seen the replay and I didn't see what happened off the ball, but he got a hit right on that spot that he landed on last week," Beveridge said.

WATCH Luke Beveridge's full media conference

"There's no way Marcus Bontempelli would ever take a dive."

Bontempelli spent the majority of the game in the midfield, with the Bulldogs having to change his role and not have him spend as much time in attack as he is used to.

"Because he was off the boil he probably wasn't as mobile as a forward as he would be a midfielder, so we had to make sure we spent 100 per cent as a midfielder with him so he would stay active," Beveridge said.

"He did an outstanding job and he had a big influence on the game."

The Bulldogs' onball brigade was eventually the difference in a low-scoring contest, with Josh Dunkley (36 disposals), Jack Macrae (33) and Lachie Hunter (33) sharing plenty of the pill.

Caleb Daniel's influence was also noteworthy, and Beveridge said he and Dunkley had been vital during the Bulldogs' three-game winning streak late in the season.

Beveridge said the continuity his midfield group was enjoying would augur well for the Bulldogs getting back to the type of football the club produced in its premiership season in 2016.

"My philosophy around coaching is that you've got this vision around the style you want to play and you coach accordingly, and you overlay plans onto that style depending on your personnel and who is available," Beveridge said.

"So with regard to how much of a competitor we can be as a team we need players like Caleb to find a vertical climb in his performance, we need Josh Dunkley to grow as a player, and we're so rapt with how those two boys have gone.

"They've had some big spikes and they've really helped us improve."

The Bulldogs will close their season against the minor premier Richmond at the MCG next Saturday.

"They've obviously an outstanding team and based on what's transpired over the last couple of weeks you'd think they'll try and field their best available team," Beveridge said.

"It'll be interesting to see how we go against them."