A SPIRITED fightback falls short.

Carlton recorded a 20-point loss at the hands of the Western Bulldogs in Round 9 AFL action at Marvel Stadium.

After trailing by as much as 31 points in the third term, an inspired spell of six consecutive goals saw the Blues lead on two occasions in the final term. However, a late flurry from the Dogs meant the Blues fell short in front of 42,756 people under the roof. 

Matthew Owies marked his return to senior action with three goals, while Sam Walsh willed his team back into the contest with 29 disposals, nine inside 50s and a goal.

Quarter one 

It was a wasteful start from Carlton, who failed to register a goal in the opening quarter despite dominating forward territory. While there was plenty of end-to-end play, with the Blues winning the inside 50s 15-7, the hosts failed to capitalise on their opportunities in front of goal. Harry McKay was a formidable target higher up the ground, giving the Blues some tall timber to kick to down the wing, but they were unable to quell the rebound of Ed Richards and Jason Johannisen. Matthew Kennedy provided physicality and drive out of the contest, but two early goals to the Bulldogs resulted in them leading by 11 points as the quarter-time siren rang.

Quarter two 

It was more of the same in the second term, with the Blues unable to convert multiple opportunities into scores. Matt Owies was the one who made it count on the scoreboard, converting a goal set up by the run of Walsh. The co-vice captain's work rate was immense in the second term, finding himself in contests at both ends of the ground while totalling five inside 50s to half time. Despite leading the inside 50s by 11, the Blues were unable to match the forward entries of the Dogs, who kicked two goals in quick succession through Anthony Scott against the run of play. Nic Newman was impactful across half back while Charlie Curnow led higher up the ground to work into the game and generate some attacking transition for the Blues. Ollie Hollands once again showed his grit defensively, but with only one goal to the team's name, the Blues went into the main break 18 points down.

Quarter three 

It was the quarter that the Blues needed. A bit of momentum and a wave of confidence saw them kick four goals in a row - after the Dogs kicked the opening two of the term - to draw within eight points. Starting that run was Corey Durdin after some good work by Matthew Cottrell, before Owies' second goal - set up by a clever kick from Hollands - and George Hewett's opportunistic snap had the crowd in full voice. Adam Saad's intercept game across half back was pivotal in keeping the ball in Carlton's forward half, before a ferocious chasedown tackle from Jesse Motlop provided the turnover that gave Charlie Curnow the opportunity to dribble through his first of the night.

Quarter four

As they had down all night, Carlton's defenders battened down the hatches in the opening part of the fourth quarter with the Dogs pressing. The Blues' strong defensive game was rewarded not long after, as Owies kicked his third from a Patrick Cripps assist, equalling his career-high total of goals on return. Some more hard running for Walsh was rewarded with his first of the night, putting the Blues in front for the first time after trailing by as much as 31 points in the third term. Both sides traded goals in the middle portion of the term, as a contested mark from Charlie Curnow gave the Blues the lead once more, but the Dogs had the answers just as the Blues looked to crack the game open. With the Blues chasing the game after getting the lead wrestled off them, their opponents were able to hit them on the counter, seeing the Blues fall 20 points short come the final siren.

CARLTON                              0.3     1.4     5.8         8.11 (59)
WESTERN BULLDOGS          2.2     4.4     6.10       11.13 (79)

GOALS
Carlton: Owies 3, C.Curnow 2, Durdin, Hewett, Walsh

BESTS
Carlton: Walsh, Newman, Owies, Saad, Young, Kennedy