IT WAS a devastatingly close loss in the final game for the season for Carlton, going down by three points at IKON Park.
Leading for almost the entire game, a late goal from the Bulldogs in the dying seconds of the fourth term sealed the deal.
Carlton started the game strong, with Poppy Schaap and Elise O’Dea both kicking two goals each - three of those from stoppages - while Gab Pound provided good forward pressure in attack.
The experienced O'Dea recorded 10 tackles to go with her two majors, playing a crucial role in the Blues locking the ball inside their forward half.
With a clear breeze heading towards the Legends Stand, the scoring was indicative of whichever side was kicking that way, leaving the other team to put their defence to the test.
Darcy Vescio was once again a rock in the back half, finishing with seven intercepts, four tackles and 273 metres gained.
The midfield duo of Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay was as strong as it has been all season, with the two combining for 44 disposals, 27 contested possessions and eight clearances, while skipper Kerryn Peterson also gathered 20 disposals and and nine contested possessions.
The backline held down the fort when the wind was blowing the Dogs' way, with Paige Trudgeon playing a solid game in defence while Brooke Walker stood up in some crucial moments to generate some run and carry.
There were contributors all over the ground for the Blues, with Taylor Ortlepp (11 disposals) holding the dangerous Kirsty Lamb to nine disposals.
Keeley Skepper was a bright spark for the Blues, buzzing in the forward line and totalling five score involvements, but it was a frustrating third term for the Blues (1.5) which brought about their undoing come the final siren.
Carlton’s handball game was what kept them ahead of the Western Bulldogs (98-73), utilising their hands in slippery and wet conditions, but the Dogs had the better of them in the hitouts and the clearances, slotting most of their goals from forward stoppages.
It was a disappointing way for Carlton to end their season, but they left it all out on their home ground against a finals-bound side as the Western Bulldogs locked in a finals berth at the death.
CARLTON 3.2 3.2 4.7 4.7 (31)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 3.2 3.3 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Carlton: O'Dea 2, Schaap 2
BESTS
Carlton: O'Dea, McKay, Peterson, Hill, Vescio, Ortlepp
