There was no third term Bulldog blitz under the roof at Etihad Stadium this week, but the Dogs managed to hold by 17 points over the Blues in a dour affair in front of 21,143 people on Sunday.
 
A pair of goals from Fergus Greene and Josh Schache midway through the third that extended the lead to nine points, the then biggest of the game, seemed to break the Blues, before the Dogs kicked two more unanswered to slam the door for good.
 
Josh Dunkley’s big month continued, setting a career-high mark for the second time in three weeks, picking up 36 touches and laying six tackles, though best on ground honours was a duel between Lachie Hunter, who had 33 touches at a very tidy 97%, and vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli.
 
It was a career afternoon for Bontempelli, who appeared hobbled for most of day, but delivered 37 disposals, five clearances and seven inside 50s in what can only be described as a mighty performance.
 
The 22-year-old had nine touches in the third and another 11 in the final term to drag the Dogs over the line, but he wasn’t alone.
 
Hunter, Dunkley and Jack Macrae (33 disposals) were prolific, while Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier and Jason Johanisen all havd a major influence on the contest.  
 
The game was in the balance for most afternoon with multiple lead-changes keeping the game close, before the final term flurry put the game out of reach and the Dogs posted their third straight win.
 
Western Bulldogs              2.1   4.2  6.4  10.6  (66)
Carlton                                 2.2   4.4  5.6   7.7   (49)
 
Goals: Jong 2, McLean, Gowers, Wallis, Trengove, Schache, Johannisen, Hunter
Disposals: Bontempelli 37, Dunkley 36, Hunter, Macrae 33, Johannisen 24
Bests: Bontempelli, Hunter, Dunkley, Johannisen, Macrae, Trengove
 
Crowd: 21,143