CARLTON'S winless pre-season has continued with a four-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in their NAB Cup clash at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs kicked 0.11.8 (74) to the Blues' 0.11.4 (70).

For full match replays 12 hours after the game, go to AFL VIDEOS under the screen

It was an even match for much of the day with the result not decided until a late left-foot snap from Tory Dickson gave the Dogs the lead and the win.

The result was inconsequential but the casualties of the contest could have a significant bearing for both teams' back lines.

Bulldog defender Tom Williams dislocated a shoulder in the first quarter diving for a mark while Carlton's Jeremy Laidler dislocated his knee in an innocuous but sickening twist in a marking contest.

At this stage both players look set to miss significant amounts of the coming season.

While defenders fill the injury list, both teams had some encouraging signs up forward with Eddie Betts (five goals) and Will Minson (four) starring for their respective teams.

In his first game since his injury-interrupted 2011 came to an early end, Brian Lake showed some good signs in defence, reading the play and positioning himself against opponents in a manner that has seen him win All Australian selection and a club best-and-fairest.

Lake came from the ground at half-time as part of a pre-conceived workload management but gave plenty of hope to the Bulldogs.

His team played a high-possession game, particularly in the back half and moved the ball quickly in a sign of things to come.

Ryan Griffen had 33 touches for the Bulldogs, pushing back to help the defenders, while Ryan Hargrave was solid in the back line in his comeback from injury. Easton Wood was the general across half-back.

Shaun Hampson looked comfortable as the Carlton main forward target, while Brock McLean pushed his case for more regular senior action, gathering 15 touches in just the one half of football.

Despite the winless pre-season so far, Blues coach Brett Ratten said he was impressed by what he had seen against the Bulldogs.

"We were a bit bolder in our performance in comparison to last week. We were pretty good in the contest but I thought our spread probably needs a bit of work," Ratten said.

"It was great to give some of the kids an opportunity. Structurally we tinkered with a couple of things, just played Hampson forward and had the half-time rule that we were going to take him off."

The Bulldogs have now won two of their three matches, with a loss to Collingwood the only blemish, while the Blues, who many are picking to win the premiership are 0-3 so far in the NAB Cup.


WESTERN BULLDOGS        0.5.2    0.8.3   0.10.5     0.11.8 (74)
CARLTON                              0.4.1    0.7.1   0.10.3     0.11.4 (70)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Minson 4, Dahlhaus 2, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Grant, Cooney, Dickson
Carlton:  Betts 5, Garlett, Simpson, Kreuzer, Yarran, Hampson, Dale

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Minson, Dahlhaus, Hargrave, Griffen, Boyd, Picken
Carlton: Simpson, Betts, Kreuzer, McLean, Henderson

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Williams (shoulder)
Carlton:  Laidler (dislocated kneecap)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McLaren, Ryan, Keating

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club