Skipper Marcus Bontempelli has praised the impact of Lachie Hunter on a disappointing night for the Western Bulldogs.

The 25-year-old returned from a four-week club suspension to be among the Bulldogs’ best in a loss to Carlton at Metricon Stadium.

Hunter had a game-high 27 disposals and 475 metres gained, plus a team-high eight score involvements, despite the Bulldogs going down by 52 points.

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Bontempelli | 'We didn't give ourselves much of a chance'

Hear from Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli following the loss to Carlton on Sunday at Metricon Stadium.

“It was such a mature performance from ‘Hunts’,” Bontempelli said post-game.

“Clearly he’s coming off the four-week suspension and ultimately we just wanted him to come back in and play his role for us.

“He played a bit of forward, played a bit of wing.

“He was a pretty good conduit between the back line and the forward line at times. 

“We really got probably a typical Lachie Hunter performance in his first game back.”