THE Blues kept up with the Bulldogs for the first three quarters, but a final quarter surge from the Dogs saw them hand Carlton a 16-point loss. 

Five goals from Eddie Betts and four goals from Harry McKay were highlights of the match. 

Quarter one: 

The Bulldogs kept the territory early, spending the first five minutes of the first quarter with the ball locked inside their 50. They put the pressure on the Blues kicking, making it difficult for them to get the ball moving down into their half. A mid-air kick from Eddie Betts got Carlton on the board as the Blues started to get more of the Sherrin, putting the pressure on the Bulldogs in their forward half. The skippers were kept busy as Sam Docherty worked hard to get the ball out of defensive 50, while Patrick Cripps provided tackle pressure at the other end. Michael Gibbons delivered solid run and carry down the field while Lachie Fogarty and Ed Curnow were getting involved in the contest. Goals from Matt Owies and Betts tied up the term, giving Carlton some momentum up forward. Jacob Weitering and Liam Stocker were instrumental in the backline as the Bulldogs put the pedal on in the final minutes of the term. 

Quarter two: 

An opening major from Josh Bruce put the Bulldogs two goals ahead, with Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli proving to be a headache around the contest for the Blues. Carlton held firm with Lachie Plowman and Luke Parks playing a consistent role across half back, while Sam Walsh and Cripps were instrumental in moving the ball through the midfield. Back-to-back goals from Betts put the Blues back on track, tying up the game yet again. Harry McKay and Matt Owies slotted their first goals of the day as Carlton started to play the game on its terms. Jack Newnes lifted his intensity through the centre, but it was Curnow who seemed to be in the middle of every contest. The Blues missed a few opportunities in front of goal to widen the margin, but a handy goal from Cuningham saw them finish the first half with the momentum in their hands. 

Quarter three: 

McKay kicked off the third quarter with a quick goal, while Marc Pittonet continued his impressive ruck work. Despite getting beaten in the clearances, Carlton had the better of its opponent in contested possessions and marks by playing a physical and fast brand of footy. Cripps did well to keep Bailey Smith under wraps at stoppages, while two consecutive goals from McKay gave the Blues a comfortable lead. Carlton’s ball movement was clean in transition, making the most of the Bulldogs’ turnovers, with Liam Jones taking some strong intercept marks. Two goals from the Bulldogs in the final minutes of the quarter tightened up the contest heading into the last term. Jack Silvagni sustained a head knock late in the quarter, with Sam Petrevski-Seton warming up to replace him in the final term. 

Quarter four: 

The Blues intercept efforts were strong at the start of the final term as both sides were desperate for a score. Matt Cottrell’s sprint efforts and pressure around the ball was strong, but a Lachie Hunter goal turned the heat up on the Blues. Plowman’s efforts in the defensive half were admirable and Sam Petrevski-Seton had an immediate impact coming on as the medical sub for Silvagni. It was end-to-end play with both sides ramping up the defensive pressure. Jones and Weitering’s intercept marking was vital for Carlton, but two quick goals from the Bulldogs put them ahead by ten points. The Bulldogs’ class with ball in hand started to shine through as they grew confident going forward. The Blues didn’t give up, but the Bulldogs were unstoppable as they surged into their forward half. A skipper's goal from Cripps was handy, but ultimately not enough to completely close the gap. 

Three things from the game

1. Eddie Betts isn’t done yet. Slotting four first-half goals with ease, the Carlton veteran reminded us why he will go down in the history books as one of the best goalkickers of all time. 
2. Jacob Weitering put on an impressive display in the defensive half, taking seven contested marks and gathering 13 contested possessions. Alongside Liam Jones and Sam Docherty, the defenders contested effort on the ground and aerially was a highlight of the game. 
3. Matt Owies is looking comfortable at the AFL level. With two goals, five score involvements and plenty of pressure at both ends of the ground, Owies was a pivotal part of Carlton’s game. 

Moment of the match 

It had to be Eddie. Carlton’s first goal of the game came from Betts, kicking a goal while the ball was in mid air: no hands needed. It was the first of five goals for Betts, but it was the most memorable of the day and definitely a contender for Goal of the Year.

Match summary