Maligned forward Aaron Naughton has made amends for a horror night by slotting a crucial late goal as the Western Bulldogs snared an eight-point victory to inflict more pain on winless Carlton.
Trailing until midway through the last quarter, the Bulldogs slotted eight goals to four in the second half to send Carlton 0-3 and add to the rising pressure at Princes Park.
Naughton put the Bulldogs back in front with just over four minutes remaining, before James O’Donnell slotted the match-winner to give his side a dramatic 12.11 (83) to 11.9 (75) victory at Docklands.
After struggling for impact with five disposals, the left-footed Naughton snatched a mark from 30 metres out and calmly went back to snap it through for a goal to give his side the lead.
The loss continued a concerning trend for the Blues, who have kicked a combined eight goals in second halves across their three matches in 2025.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was well held for most of the night and suffered a huge knock to the hip when he flew for a mark during the third quarter.
Star Blues ruck Tom De Koning was arguably best on ground, while emerging forward Brodie Kemp kicked a career-high five goals.
Star forward Charlie Curnow responded after a poor match against Hawthorn, kicking three goals, but the task was left to too few for the Blues.
Mature-aged recruit Sam Davidson (31 disposals), in just his third AFL match, was superb along with stand-in captain Tom Liberatore, who rallied after being well held early.
Matthew Kennedy was a solid contributor for the Bulldogs against his former club. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Graham Denholm)
“I felt like we lacked composure for different times throughout the game,” Blues coach Michael Voss said after the match.
“Right now, our best has been pretty good, but we seem to be straying … more than we would like.
“It is little pockets and windows for the opposition to walk through.
“We are inviting them into the game and that’s probably not giving enough credit to the opposition because you still have to show up and get that done.”
Carlton subbed off Zac Williams in the second quarter for Jordan Boyd after the forward experienced Achilles soreness.
It will be a concern for the Blues, with Williams having ruptured his Achilles in 2018 when he played for GWS.
Williams suffered an ACL injury in 2023 and has battled soft-tissue problems since arriving at Carlton ahead of the 2021 season.
The Blues next face the Magpies on Thursday night, while the Bulldogs travel to Perth to play the Dockers next Sunday.
AAP/ABC
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.
Key Events
Blues vs Bulldogs scoreboard
Thanks for your company!
That’s where we will end our coverage tonight — thanks for joining us.
We’ll be blogging the remainder of round three across Saturday and Sunday, so make sure to stick with us.
Have a good night!
Voss admits Blues need greater composure
Blues coach Michael Voss has reflected on his side’s loss during his post-match media conference.
Voss feels the Blues must show improved maturity in the tight moments if they are to exit their form slump.
I felt like we lacked composure for different times throughout the game.
Right now, our best has been pretty good, but we seem to be straying from us more than we would like.
It is little pockets and windows for the opposition to walk through.
We are inviting them into the game and that’s probably not giving enough credit to the opposition because you still have to show up and get that done.
‘One of the best wins’
Sam Davidson took pride from the way the Bulldogs fought back, as he told the Seven Network.
One of the best wins I been a part of. We started slowly, they got the jump on us in the first quarter and then kept pushing.
We were lucky enough to run over them in the end. A pretty good win.
That winning feeling
What a finish!
Thanks Luke – never a doubt 🙂 The twist in the closing moments was a twist of lime in in the celebratory refreshment…. See you next time.
– Mike
Thanks for joining us, Mike!
BULLDOGS TRIUMPH!
IT’S THE DOGS BY EIGHT POINTS!
What a match!
For the record, the Bulldogs win 12.11 (83) to to 11.9 (75) in a Friday night thriller!
The Blues led at every change, even holding a 23-point buffer at quarter-time.
But the Bulldogs edged their way back into the contest as the match progressed to trail by just two points at the final change.
The lead swapped hands during the fourth term, however the Bulldogs came away the victor to move to a 2-1 record.
For the Blues, they remain winless and they will rue the missed opportunities to close out the match.
Two minutes to go — Dogs still lead
It’s still the Bulldogs up by eight points, but you can’t help but feel there is another twist coming in this compelling encounter.
Bulldogs kick another major
James O’Donnell stands tall with his second goal of the match!
O’Donnell marks to the right of the goal square and plays on, and the Bulldogs now lead by eight points.
What a finish coming up!
Naughton sends Dogs back in front
Aaron Naughton!
Naughton waited until late in the final term to kick his first goal of the match but it came when the Bulldogs needed it most.
He took a contested mark, before going around the corner from the set-shot.
The Bulldogs lead by two points.
Five minutes to go — can the Blues hold on?
The full-time siren is approaching — will the Blues hold off the Bulldogs?
The Blues still lead by four points.
Blues reclaim the lead
What a night for Brodie Kemp!
Kemp kicks his fifth goal — a career-high tally — and the Blues reclaim the lead.
Francis Evans saw Kemp alone inside 50 and the rest is history.
The Blues up by four points, with just over eight minutes left in the match.
Bulldogs extend lead by … a point
It’s a rushed behind but enough for the Bulldogs to build their lead to … two points.
So much left in this enthralling contest.
Dogs still in front
C’mon Dogs – keep it rolling!
– Mike
A long way to go, but the Bulldogs seem to have the momentum!
Darcy eventually gets his goal
The Dogs are in front!
This time, Sam Darcy can’t be denied.
The rangy Bulldog slots a set-shot for his second major of the match.
It’s the Bulldogs now leading by just a point.
Bulldogs activate sub
The Dogs’ sub Josh Dolan is on the field, with teammate Oskar Baker out for the remainder of the match with a quad injury.
Bulldogs denied a goal following score review
After a lengthy score review, a Sam Darcy goal is overturned and the Bulldogs instead come away with a behind.
Darcy celebrated after snapping what appeared to be a goal amid traffic inside 50, but the ball was judged to have been touched by Jacob Weitering on the way through.
Young gives Blues some relief
Lewis Young claims the first goal of the fourth term for the Blues, just over a minute after the resumption of play.
A juggling mark inside 50 and then a coolly taken set-shot gives Young his second goal, as the Blues lead by eight.
Blues and Bulldogs resume in final term
It all comes down to this!
It’s the Blues ahead of the Bulldogs by two points as the fourth quarter gets underway …
3QT: Blues 9.9 (63) lead Bulldogs 9.7 (61)
A goal after the siren to Rhylee West sees the Bulldogs trail the Blues by just two points at the final change.
What a fourth quarter we have coming up!
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