Round 10 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round)

Carlton v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 16 May | 7:35pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne • Wurundjeri
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check your local broadcast guide)

LAST MEETING

Round 3, 2025
Carlton 11.9 (75) def. by Western Bulldobgs 12.11 (83)

Carlton started strong, but the Western Bulldogs fought back to secure a thrilling eight-point win in front of a 45,000 strong crowd at Marvel Stadium.

With his side trailing by less than a kick with under five minutes remaining, Aaron Naughton brought the Dogs back from the brink to secure what had just moments earlier appeared an unlikely win.

Tom Liberatore (30 disposals, 10 tackles, one goal), Sam Davidson (31 disposals, 10 marks) and ex-Blue Matt Kennedy (22 disposals, two goals) were among the standouts in the Dogs' third consectuive victory over the Blues.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT IT MEANS

Western Bulldogs (5-4) hung on for a much-needed victory in a thriller against Yartapuulti but were unable to avoid again adding to its list of sidelined players with ruck Tim English placed in concussion protocols. The banged-up Dogs might be waiting for the cavalry to return but will be wary of a newly inspired Blues outfit in what is suddenly more of a danger game.

GAME SHAPER

Bailey Dale took time to get going after a pre-season injury scare but has returned to form in recent weeks as the Dogs again look to get the ball in his hands. The 29-year-old has averaged 29 disposals over the past four matches while spending more time playing up the ground as the Bulldogs more often call on his classy kicking to find targets in the front half.

A fourth-quarter blitz from Carlton paved the way to an 12-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

After a stirring pre-game performance celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Round that featured the Bulldogs' Arty Jones, Blues' Jack Ison and Zac Williams, the game was an arm-wrestle up until three-quarter time.

But ultimately the re-energised Blues, led by interim coach Josh Fraser, ran out 10.14 (74) to 9.8 (62) victors under the Marvel Stadium roof on Saturday evening.

The game opened with a showing of defensive grit from both sides. Forward entries weren't necessarily ineffective as a result of poor choices going inside, rather both backlines worked exceptionally well to repel attacks.

The Dogs were the first to break the slow style of play, starting to put speed on the ball following the main break. In doing so, opportunities for their sole tall forward, Aaron Naughton (12 disposals, three goals), grew.

But that speed fell away as an already-stretched list had even more questions asked of it with a hamstring injury to winger Bailey Williams in the second quarter.

Through the middle, the usual suspects for the Bulldogs – Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli – had quieter days by their lofty standards, but it created an opportunity for younger duo Joel Freijah and Ryley Sanders to show their wares.

The Dogs will host Narrm in Marngrook at Marvel next Sunday afternoon.

CARLTON                          2.5    3.6    5.11   10.14 (74)
WESTERN BULLDOGS       4.1    5.4    7.7   9.8 (62)
 
GOALS 
Carlton: Carroll 3, Cripps 2, McKay 2, Kemp, Ainsworth, Ison
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, West 2, Sanders, Bontempelli, Baker, Hynes
 
BEST 
Carlton: Carroll, Florent, Hollands, Cripps, Newman
Western Bulldogs: Naughton, West, Dale, Bontempelli
 
INJURIES 
Carlton: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Williams (left hamstring)
 
Crowd: 39,217 at Marvel Stadium