The Western Bulldogs will look to continue a strong recent record against Carlton when the two teams clash at Metricon Stadium this Sunday evening.
The Dogs have won six of their last seven games against the Blues, dating back to 2015.
This weekend’s game on the Gold Coast is the second time the teams have played outside of Victoria, after Marrara Stadium in Darwin hosted the clubs in 2005.
Here’s a look at the last five encounters between the two sides.
2019 – Round 13 (Bulldogs 103 defeated Blues 100)
A game of wildly fluctuating momentum swings ended up finishing as the closest game between the teams since 2002. The Dogs led by 27 points nearing half time, but had surrendered that advantage 30 minutes later. The game looked over when the Bulldogs surged again to stretch to a 34-point lead, but the Blues rattled home with five straight majors to give every red, white and blue supporter at Marvel Stadium a tremendous fright. Thankfully, the Dogs hung on, just.
2019 – Round 5 (Blues 101 defeated Bulldogs 57)
Earlier that season, the Dogs suffered a disappointing 44-point loss to the Blues, on the back of seven goals combined from Harry McKay and Levi Casboult. It was the first win for Carlton in its first five outings of 2019. They won every quarter that afternoon on their way to their biggest win over the Bulldogs since 2001.
2018 – Round 22 (Bulldogs 66 defeated Blues 49)
In a low-scoring encounter, the Bulldogs pulled away late in the contest after the result was in the balance early in the last term. The Blues led by two points at the six-minute mark of the final stanza, before consecutive majors to Fergus Greene, Josh Schache, Lin Jong and Jason Johannisen secured the four points.
2018 – Round 6 (Bulldogs 80 defeated Carlton 59)
Desperate for a victory after just one win in the first five starts of the 2018 campaign, the Dogs were rarely troubled in this contest. After an even start, the Bulldogs led by 23 points at half time and the Blues couldn’t get closer than 13 points from there, as Marcus Bontempelli (30 disposals) and Pat Lipinski (three goals) starred.
2017 – Round 17 (Bulldogs 82 defeated Blues 62)
The Dogs and Blues have only played one in their last 14 games at the MCG, and on this day late in the 2017 season, the tri-colours scored a comfortable 20-point win. The damage was done in the second quarter, when the Bulldogs booted five goals to one. For the second-straight time against the same opposition, Marcus Bontempelli scored the three Brownlow votes for his 30 possession, two-goal performance.
