CARLTON has fallen by eight points in a back-and-forth affair against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

After leading for the majority of the night, the Blues were pipped by two late goals in the 11.9 (75) and 12.11 (83) defeat.

Brodie Kemp produced a career-high five goals while Tom De Koning and Adam Cerra contested all night - however, it wasn’t to be for the Blues in a taxing affair.

Carlton’s intent from the outset was evident courtesy of Jesse Motlop, who produced a holding-the-ball tackle and a set shot to match to open the Blues’ account for the night.

Zac Williams’ dare to take the game on brought immediate dividends, as Charlie Curnow went back for his first goal of the season, while the Carlton defence held up brilliantly amidst a flurry of Western Bulldogs inside 50.

Adam Cerra’s work-rate stopped two Bulldogs’ scoring opportunities on the goal line, while Blake Acres’ commitment to the defensive cause was showcased with three first-quarter tackles.

Down back, Jacob Weitering’s seven marks was an equal career-best for the All-Australian defender in a single quarter, while at the other end, Curnow’s second on the siren - from an end-to-end passage of play - meant the Blues had the first four of the game.

The Blues’ mandate to own the ball and be patient was clear, accumulating 25 more marks than the Dogs in the first term while also producing six more tackles for the quarter.

The Bulldogs came back into the game in the second term, but not before the Blues were unable to capitalise on some early forward territory, with only one behind to show from 86 per cent forward territory in the opening five minutes.

When the Dogs started to challenge after getting on top around the ball, Tom De Koning lifted with six second-quarter disposals, while also contributing two direct goal assists. 

Brodie Kemp was the main beneficiary up forward, kicking two goals from set shots, while Adam Saad was also prolific with 13 disposals in the first half - second only to Adam Cerra’s 14 in Navy Blue.

Jordan Boyd was subbed into the game for his first game of the season in place of Zac Williams (Achilles soreness).

The margin hovered between three and four goals, as a late Tom Liberatore goal from a forward stoppage brought the Blues’ lead back to 18 at the main break.

On the back of that goal, the Dogs came out with the momentum in the third term, nailing their early shots on goal while half chances went begging for the Blues.

Matthew Cottrell continued to quell Bailey Dale across half-back while Lewis Young (two goals) did the same to Rory Lobb, keeping him to two marks in the opening three quarters.

The scoreboard impact came off the boot of Kemp, who - after the Dogs levelled the scores - produced another two to equal his career-high of four goals, seeing the Blues take a narrow two-point lead into three-quarter time.

The third term saw the Dogs’ ball winners get going with seven of the top nine for the term, as De Koning (eight disposals, six contested) and Cerra (seven disposals) continued to will themselves at the coalface.

The two sides continued to duke it out at the start of the last term, with the Dogs taking the lead for the first time for the night - that was until Kemp kicked a career-high fifth to put the Blues back in front.

However, two quick-fire goals to the Dogs made life tough for the Blues.

CARLTON                          4.3     7.5     9.9       11.9 (75)

WESTERN BULLDOGS     0.4     4.5     9.7       12.11 (83)

GOALS
Carlton: Kemp 5, Curnow 3, Young 2, Motlop

BEST
Carlton: De Koning, Kemp, Cerra, Weitering, Saad, Hewett, Silvagni