Carlton 3.3 21 5.4 34 7.5 47 8.5 53 Western Bulldogs 1.0 6 2.3 15 2.5 17 4.10 34
Venue:	VU Whitten Oval, Footscray.
Date:	Friday 6th October, 2023 (7.15 pm).
Result:	Won by 19 points.
Crowd:	2,163
Goalkickers:	J. Good 1.1, D. Walker 1.0, D. Vescio 1.0, P. McWilliams 1.0, A. McKay 1.0, L. Goss 1.0, E. Fitzpatrick 1.0, M. Austin 1.0, K. Skepper 0.1, Rushed 0.3.
Reports:	Nil
Umpires:	Matthew Baigent, Lucinda Lopes, Nicholas Scott.
Injuries:	A. McKay (ankle), V. Laloifi (knee).
Ladder:	6th

Game Review

Blues outclass Bulldogs away from home

The Blues show power and class in controlling win over the Bulldogs. - By Owen Jones, Carlton Media

Carlton have produced a strong four-quarter performance under the lights at Whitten Oval and leave the western suburbs with four points in hand. From the opening siren the Blues showed composure, with quick and precise ball movement from the midfield helping set up a dominant first quarter, as the Blues notched up 14 inside 50s to the Western Bulldogs’ one, which helped them kick three first-quarter goals. The Blues continued their attacking pressure throughout the whole game, totalling 38 forward 50 entries, their equal-most inside 50 count so far this season. Early in the second term, the Bulldogs showed fight, kicking the first goal of the quarter, but a strong rebound provided by Harriet Cordner and Gab Pound was able to push play back toward Carlton’s scoring end, providing Daisy Walker with her first career goal. Lily Goss also benefitted from the Blues' defensive overhaul, with her running goal heading into the main break providing another highlight of the second quarter. Carlton continued their strong full-team performance in the third quarter, with Pound - alongside Gen Lawson-Tavan - cutting off any attempt the Bulldogs had at entering their forward 50, keeping them to two behinds from their five entries.

Darcy Vescio dug deep into their bag of tricks, working hard to chip through a goal off the ground midway through the third term, whilst Mia Austin continued her recent accuracy in front of goal, adding another goal to her tally for the year. Although the Bulldogs fought back in the final quarter, the Blues held strong, using their dominant contest and defensive pressure when it mattered to help nullify their opposition’s run. An Erone Fitzpatrick goal halfway through the final quarter put the result away without doubt and gave the Blues a reason to sing the team song loud and proud after the game.

Carlton’s centre trio of Keeley Sherar (27 disposals), Abbie McKay (25 disposals) and Mimi Hill (23 disposals) once again combined their contest craft, by helping guide the ball between the arcs and set up their forwards for early goals that ultimately setup the Blues for the fourth win of 2023. The dominant ruck work from Brea Moody and Jess Good continued, with the two combining for 36 disposals and 33 hitouts, as Good displayed determination around the ball, collecting 14 contested possessions along the way. After a month of strong performances, the Blues were able to produce four quarters of football that showcased a strong connection between defence, midfield and attack, highlighting Mathew Buck's focus of high performance and contested efforts. As the season moves towards its final four games, Carlton will finish Round 6 inside the top eight and head into its next home game with traditional rivals Collingwood full of positivity.

Best: K. Sherar, J. Good, A. McKay, K. Skepper, B. Moody, G. Pound.

Blues prove too good as struggling Dogs slump to 0-6

The Bulldogs fell to the Blues, losing a sixth straight game - By Dylan Bolch.

Carlton has continued its push towards a finals campaign under new coach Mathew Buck, recording a 19-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval. The Blues dominated play in the first term to lay the platform for the 8.5 (53) to 4.10 (34) victory, winning the inside 50 count 14-1 in what was another indication Carlton is taking giant steps forward after significant change across the entire club over the off-season. The Bulldogs had a handful of players come down with gastro during the week, which was far from ideal preparation for a side still hunting its first win of the campaign. Veteran Blue Phoebe McWilliams kicked the opening goal of the match, before gun midfielder Abbie McKay hit the scoreboard shortly after. The Dogs opened their account late in the first term through Bri McFarlane, who executed a terrific run-down tackle before converting from the square following a 50-metre penalty. It was the first time the Blues had booted three goals in the opening quarter all season. Despite trailing by 15 points at quarter-time, the Dogs drew first blood in the second term as teammates flocked to Brit Gutknecht who kicked a beautiful goal on the run, her first since a serious leg injury last season. This would be the last week that Carlton would be in the top 8 for the 2023 season.

The Dogs were able to wrestle some momentum off the Blues in the second quarter as they upped the energy around the contest, but goals to Daisy Walker and Lily Goss ensured the Blues held a handy 19-point lead at the main break. Darcy Vescio struggled to have their usual impact over the course of the night but chimed in with a goal off the ground in the third term to further extend the Blues' lead. The Bulldogs got the first goal of the final term through Jess Fitzgerald and threatened to get themselves back in the contest, but Katie Lynch, in a new role forward, was unable to convert her set shot. Carlton's ruck tandem of Jess Good and Breann Moody did a superb job of nullifying the dangerous Alice Edmonds throughout the evening. Good and Moody combined for 36 disposals and 33 hitouts, restricting Edmonds to just 11 disposals and 18 hitouts in the process. Carlton's midfielders took control of the contest through the likes of McKay, Mimi Hill (23 disposals) and Keeley Skepper (23 disposals, seven marks, 583 metres gained). Carlton won the disposal count (289-252), contested possessions (120-109) and uncontested possessions (161-138). Young midfielder Keeley Sherar was superb for the Blues, recording a team-high 28 touches and eight tackles and McKay was able to push through a sore knee to finish with 23 touches and a goal. Ellie Blackburn was again the standout for the Bulldogs, racking up 27 disposals, while Kirsty Lamb kept trying all night, finishing with 23 disposals and six tackles. Carlton was without captain Kerryn Peterson, who was ruled out during the week with knee swelling, but stand-in skippers Jess Dal Pos and Hill stepped up beautifully in her absence.

Up next
The Bulldogs will hope to secure their first win of the season when they take on Adelaide at Norwood Oval at 6.45pm ACDT on Friday, October 13, while the Blues will look to continue their finals push against Collingwood at IKON Park at 3.05pm AEDT on Sunday, October 15.

Team

B:	17 Dayna Finn	8 Vaomua Laloifi
HB:	27 Genevieve Lawson-Tavan	21 Harriet Cordner	6 Gabriella Pound
C:	1 Amelia Velardo	5 Abbie McKay	24 Brooke Vickers
HF:	22 Mia Austin	16 Breann Moody	20 Lily Goss
F:	3 Darcy Vescio	4 Keeley Skepper
Ruck:	15 Jess Good	10 Mimi Hill	25 Keeley Sherar
Interchange:	23 Daisy Walker	19 Erone Fitzpatrick	2 Jess Dal Pos
	36 Ciara Fitzgerald	37 Phoebe McWilliams
Coach:	Mathew Buck
Emg:	28 Imogen Milford	49 Madeline Hendrie	34 Taylor Ortlepp

In: Genevieve Lawson-Tavan
Out: Kerryn Peterson (knee)

Milestones

First Goal: Daisy Walker
Last Game: Phoebe McWilliams

AFLW Team of the Week

Defenders: Gabriella Pound
Midfielders: Jess Good

AFLW Coaches Votes

10 - Keeley Sherar (CARL)
5 - Abbie McKay (CARL)
4 - Jess Good (CARL)
4 - Keeley Skepper (CARL)
4 - Elisabeth Georgostathis (WB)
2 - Gabriella Pound (CARL)
1 - Ellie Blackburn (WB)

AFLW Best and Fairest Votes

3 - Keeley Skepper (CARL)
2 - Keeley Sherar (CARL)
1 - Ellie Blackburn (WB)

Club Best and Fairest Votes

Match Highlights

Links

AFLW Season 2023 | Round 5 | Round 7