WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 10 July, 4.40pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Western Bulldogs 48 wins, Carlton 85 wins, four draws
LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 20.6 (126) d Carlton 8.10 (58), round 15, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Western Bulldogs: LLWWW Carlton: WWWLW
 
SUMMARY
The Bulldogs have emerged from a recent, much-needed soft patch where they have strung together three consecutive wins.

But they face a bit of a reality check this week against the rampaging Blues.
Carlton responded to the previous week's loss to West Coast with an emphatic win over Richmond and will be looking to do much the same this week.

Daniel Giansiracusa and Ryan Griffen are in red-hot form and we are seeing improvement from Shaun Higgins and Adam Cooney.

Callan Ward is also showing no signs of being overwhelmed by all the talk surrounding his future.

But the Blues are in ripping form save for the blip that was the West Coast loss.

Mitch Robinson continues to cement his reputation as one of the hardest midfield nuts you will find while Michael Jamison's knee injury has had a silver lining with Lachlan Henderson proving himself a more than capable key defender. After shutting down Jack Riewoldt last week he faces another big test with Barry Hall his most likely opponent.
 
QUESTION MARKS
Are the Dogs a chance to make the finals? It has been a wretched season so far from the Bulldogs but stringing together three wins will undoubtedly boost their confidence. If they are to grab a spot in the top eight they will do it the hard way as they don't have the easiest run home. Better luck with injury and improvement from some senior players could see them over the line but it will be a battle.

Can Liam Picken claim another big scalp? Picken has consolidated himself as one of the hardest taggers in the game. He broke even with Gary Ablett two weeks ago, which is no easy feat, and completely nullified Tom Scully last Friday. Chris Judd is obviously the biggest name he could take on this week but don't be surprised if Picken sidles up next to Marc Murphy. Whoever he does get the job on will have their work cut out for them.
 
PREDICTION
Carlton by 35 points
 
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
For all his individual honours, Chris Judd has never been a traditionally strong Dream Team performer. Last week he dipped under $370,000 to be at his cheapest price all season. He followed that up with his highest score of the season - 138 and as his support network grows around him, he might get less attention than when he was essentially running a one-man band in the Blues engine room.

Shaun Higgins is slowly starting to rise after a sluggish few weeks. He scored 100 last week and 105 two weeks before that and at $322,100 is quite a valuable forward/midfield option.

Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #afldogsblues
 
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL