CARLTON locked in top spot of Conference B after it defeated the Western Bulldogs by three points in a nail-biter. 

With a home final on the line, Carlton led all day before withstanding a late Bulldogs barrage to prevail 6.5 (41) to 5.8 (38).
 
On a warm day at Whitten Oval, the Blues’ put in an impressive first half of footy, kicking five goals while keeping the Dogs goalless. 
After an arm-wrestle in the third term where no goals were scored for either side, the Dogs launched a stirring comeback in the final quarter. But it was a case of too little, too late, as the Blues never looked like giving up the lead.
 
Bri Davey inspired her team to victory, gathering 21 possessions and laying 10 tackles. Maddy Prespakis continued her fantastic debut year with 19 disposals, and Alison Downie was the superior ruck on the ground. 
Rugby converts Chloe Dalton and Brooke Walker combined for five goals and provided the x-factor that the Dogs could not match.

Quarter-by-quarter:

Q1:

The Blues burst out of the blocks to open proceedings. Tayla Harris kicked the first goal of the day, before the Brooke Walker show started. Continuing her outstanding form from the week before, Walker kicked back-to-back goals to extend Carlton’s lead to 18 points. Davey was leading from the front with eight possessions, while Georgia Gee and Maddy Prespakis gave support in the midfield with six apiece. Nicola Stevens and Gab Pound were impenetrable at half-back.
 
Q2:

It was another successful quarter for Carlton, but it could have gone quite differently had the Dogs converted their four shots on goal in the first 10 minutes. The Blues reclaimed the momentum when Dalton was awarded a free kick from directly in front and subsequently slotted the quarter’s first goal. Not long after, Dalton turned provider, assisting her fellow rugby convert in Walker for her third goal. Alison Downie was providing premium service to the midfield, with Davey again dominant.
Q3:

After Carlton’s dominance in the first half, the match became a stalemate in the third term. The Blues kicked three behinds and kept the Dogs scoreless for the quarter. Sarah Hosking was involved in a heavy collision and was forced to have a concussion test before continuing.
 
Q4:

With goals to Katie Brennan, Ainsling McCarthy and Ellie Blackburn, the Dogs were mounting a late comeback and Blues supporters were nervous. The near 10,000-stong crowd at Whitten Oval were becoming increasingly vocal, spurring the Dogs’ belief that they could overrun Carlton. But Dalton’s second goal for the match sealed victory for the Blues. Another couple of late goals to the Dogs cut the margin back to three points, but Carlton was always coming out the victor. 
 

Three things we learned:

  • Carlton will be a big threat in the finals. The Blues looked super slick in the first half, kicking five goals to the Dogs’ none. It was the team’s best half of footy for the season.
  • The rugby recruits are improving with every match. After singing their praises last week, Walker and Dalton picked up from where they left off. Walker finished with three goals and Dalton chipped in with two.
  • The Blues’ midfield is one of the best in the competition. Davey had 20 disposals and found great support from Prespakis (19), Downie (12) and Gee (11).

Player of the match:

The skipper Bri Davey led from the front from the first bounce. The midfield bull gathered 20 disposals and laid 10 crunching tackles.
 

Match summary:

Carlton 3.2 5.2 5.5 6.5 (41)
Bulldogs 0.2 0.7 0.7 5.8 (38)
 
Goals:
Walker 3, Dalton 2, Harris 
 
Best:
Davey, Prespakis, Dalton, Walker, Downie, Pound
 
Attendance:
9609