Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Tips & Preview - Blues to suffer another blow in AFL

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 26 Mar 2025

Adam Cusworth 26 Mar 2025

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Carlton Blues vs Western Bulldogs expert predictions for Friday’s Round 3 AFL game
Carlton have lost first 2 games of the season
Close contests historically, with matches often decided by 20 points or less

Expired

Carlton Blues are 0-2 (Getty Images)

Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Preview

Carlton are 0-2 and still searching for their first win of the season. It is now just two wins in their past 12 matches and another loss is predicted with the Bulldogs backed despite an injury-hit squad.

Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Preview
Head to Head
Carlton Form
Carlton Team News
Western Bulldogs Form
Western Bulldogs Team News

Head to Head

The Bulldogs have won the last two matches between the two sides, including the Round 18 fixture in 2024 by 14 points.

Bailey Dale picked up 31 disposals in that match for the Dogs, while Rhylee West chimed in with four goals. Patrick Cripps, Blake Acres and Sam Walsh all had 25+ disposals for Carlton.

Walsh has averaged 28 disposals in his past four matches against the Dogs, while Charlie Curnow has booted 11 in his past three.

The past four matches between the two sides have been decided by 20 points or less.

Carlton Form

Carlton’s form is a major concern. They have won just two of their last 12 matches with those wins coming over some easybeats in North Melbourne and West Coast last season.

Scoring has been an issue and they rank 16th in the competition for points scored over their last 10 matches. They have gone under the total points in their past eight matches.

Carlton Team News

Harry McKay is expected to return for Carlton after being a late withdrawal last weekend due to illness.

Charlie Curnow looked underdone at his first game back but should be better for the run and the return of McKay will help.

Western Bulldogs Form

The Western Bulldogs pushed Collingwood last weekend, despite the absence of Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Liam Jones and Cody Weightman.

They broke even at the clearances but were lower for inside 50s. Darcy did well to keep them in it with four goals.

The Dogs rank 4th for scoring over their past 10 matches and are 2nd for defence, conceding 75 points per game in that period.

Bailey Dale and Tom Liberatore have stepped up in the absence of Bontempelli and Treloar, averaging over 30 disposals this year, while Joel Freijah is a tick over 25.

Western Bulldogs Team News

No immediate relief for the Dogs as far as the major names are concerned but James O’Donnell should be right to return from a broken jaw and can bolster the backline.

Verdict

Carlton v Western Bulldogs

Bulldogs to have too much depth in the midfield despite missing key players.

Western Bulldogs

Head to Head

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