Carlton slumps to worst start in club history after 21-point loss to Western Bulldogs

SOME firsts are worth celebrating but the Western Bulldogs handed Carlton an unwelcome first after the Blues slumped to a 0-6 start for the first time in the famous club’s history.

Aaron Naughton takes a strong mark against Charlie Curnow. Picture: Michael Klein

SOME firsts are worth celebrating. First birthdays, first steps. First day of school. Not this one.

When you’re as old a club as Carlton, there’s not many firsts left.

But for the first time since 1897, the Blues have started a season 0-6 and the pain could continue for a few weeks yet.

Two sides in their dawn ground out a messy encounter under the roof, the Western Bulldogs winning by 21 points.

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In four or five years’ time, this one will be a cracker.

For now, it was the Dogs — who turned out both the youngest, least experienced side in the competition for the sixth straight round — and the Blues, who weren’t much older or experienced themselves.

It showed. The game didn’t reach great heights as two sides who shared one win between them so far this season met in the AFL’s flagship timeslot.

This year’s scoring trend — the lowest in 50 years — continued.

Dale Thomas gets taken over the boundary line by Matthew Suckling. Picture: Michael Klein

There was the argument it should have been Geelong and Sydney, or the first derby in the west at Perth Stadium.

At times it made tough watching. At least it was close, some said, with intensity lacking until 20 minutes into the final term.

The Blues’ ball movement — sideways and backwards — riled many of the faithful as they pleaded on radio for some damaging play and passion.

The Bulldogs held them up, but were also plagued by skill woes of skill and punished on the turnover.

They couldn’t have been as bad as last week’s loss to Fremantle, coach Luke Beveridge had declared, and they certainly raised their level.

Marcus Bontempelli shakes off Sam Petrevski-Seton. Picture: Michael Klein

But no matter what was going on around them, class shone.

Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps — both drafted in 2013 — went head to head and showed the future is bright.

Youth is a certainty for both teams this year. Injury and experience dictates that and means such showings will happen more often than not.

“We are a young crew that brings excitement and enjoyment,” Bontempelli told Channel 7.

“But also I guess in the background the reality of continuing to learn and grow as a group.

“It is a bit of a new look team. Really new faces that are really playing their role.”

Caleb Daniel without the helmet he has worn since his mother gave it to him 12 years ago. Picture: Michael Klein

Blues coach Brendon Bolton has for so long lauded the kids at Ikon Park and while there were signs last night, there is a way to go.

Charlie Curnow is a star in the making, there’s no doubt.

The freshly re-signed Zac Fisher had shades of Kade Simpson and Harry McKay showed he can work well alongside the likes of Curnow and fellow tall Levi Casboult. For the Dogs it was Billy Gowers, Patty Lipinski and Bailey Williams who did their bit.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.5 7.8 9.12 11.14 (80)

CARLTON 3.1 4.3 6.6 8.111 (59)

GOALS

Bulldogs: Lipinski 3, Gowers 2, Wallis, Macrae, McLean, Boyd, Daniel, Dale

Blues: Casboult 2, McKay, Fisher, Phillips, Wright, C.Curnow, Silvagni

BEST

Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Hunter, Wallis, Gowers, Lipinski

Blues: Cripps, Fisher, C.Curnow, Kerridge, Thomas, E.Curnow

INJURIES

Bulldogs: Nil

Blues: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Brown, Nicholls, Findlay

Official crowd: 33,915 at Etihad Stadium

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Originally published as Carlton slumps to worst start in club history after 21-point loss to Western Bulldogs