AFL.com.au previews Carlton's Round 14 clash away to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium...
SUMMARY
Back in the eight, the Bulldogs will be looking for a third straight win and will be buoyed by the fact they didn't play their best footy against the Saints, but still got the four points. Carlton are playing with more passion under caretaker coach John Barker and will fancy themselves against a young Dogs outfit that haven't handled the favourites tag well in 2015. With the lowly Gold Coast to follow, Luke Beveridge's men have a great chance to set up their season over the next fortnight and should be too strong for the rejuvenated Blues.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2014, Carlton 18.11 (119) d Western Bulldogs 13.13 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2013, Western Bulldogs 16.21 (117) d Carlton 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2012, Carlton 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 12.12 (84) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2011, Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) d Carlton 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2010, Western Bulldogs 20.6 (126) d Carlton 8.10 (58) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Captain Marc Murphy collected the three Brownlow votes with 28 disposals, goals and 12 tackles, Lachie Henderson kicked five goals and Jarrad Waite three. Stewart Crameri kicked four goals for the Bulldogs.
2. The Bulldogs continue to be the number one tackling side in 2015 averaging 73.3 per game with four players in the top 20; in contrast Carlton is ranked 18th with 56.1 per game.
3. The Bulldogs and Blues clash for the 142nd time with 87 wins to 50 in the Blues favour; there’s also been four draws. Carlton has won five games to three since 2007.
4. Since John Barker took over as coach, the Blues average points for and against has changed to 91 for and 99 against; prior to round 8 it was 74 and 108.
5. At Etihad Stadium there have been 11 contests with the Bulldogs winning six games to the Blues five.
6. One area the Blues have been strong in 2015 is One percenters; ranked 4th averaging 46.4 per game; the Bulldogs are 7th at 43.3 per game.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Matthew Boyd
Not many players come off the rookie list to play 250 games and the Dogs will be eager to not let the Blues spoil the highly respected veteran's party. And it's not as if Luke Beveridge has gifted Boyd the milestone, with the 32-year-old in All Australian form in his new role across halfback.
