Head to head: Carlton 85 wins, Western Bulldogs 47 wins, four draws
Last time: Carlton 21.7 (133) d Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90), round five, 2009, at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
Carlton
Paul Bower (quad) - test
Chris Johnson (wrist) - 1 week
Matthew Kreuzer (knee) - season
Brock McLean (knee) - 2 weeks
Rhys O’Keeffe (back) - indefinite
Western Bulldogs
Ayce Cordy (shoulder) - season
Brad Johnson (ankle) - test
Lukas Markovic (shoulder) - test
Will Minson (ankle) - test
Sam Reid (shoulder) - TBA
Shane Thorne (knee) - 7 weeks
FORM
Carlton: WWLLW
Western Bulldogs: LLWWL
SUMMARY
The Blues bounced back from a couple of disappointing losses last Thursday night when they ran out easy winners over the Brisbane Lions. It was tight early but Carlton ran right over the top of their opponents late to restore a bit of lost pride. The Blues small forward trio of Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran did the damage, but coach Brett Ratten might be tempted to tinker with his tall timber as he looks for a combination to compete with the firepower of the Bulldogs. Despite last Friday night's narrow loss to Hawthorn, the Doggies are still in with a shot at a top-four berth but they've got to come away with the points here to keep the pressure on Freo. Some of their blue-chip midfielders were off the boil against the Hawks and the delivery inside the forward 50 must improve if they are to kick a winning score.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Eddie Betts booted five against the Lions in yet another scintillating display. Brett Ratten endorsed him as the All-Australian small forward with his current form worth the price of admission alone.
Ryan Griffen came in for unwanted scrutiny for his non-shepherd that might have cost his team a last-gasp win against the Hawks. He needs to respond with a good match here.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Blues hit on the right ruck tandem? Sam Jacobs showed he can take the lead role, but Shaun Hampson's performance last week leaves a question mark over the back-up spot.
Will the real Western Bulldogs please stand up? The Dogs, predicted by many to finish in the top four, have teased with glimpses of good form this year but have disappointed in big games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
With both sides locked on 32 points, two games outside the top four, there's a lot at stake here. Both have displayed maddening inconsistency so far this season, both have class midfields and both have multi-pronged attacks. But the Brian Lake-led defence of the Dogs probably shades that of the Blues in what should be an enthralling contest.
PREDICTION
Western Bulldogs by five points
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
