Carlton v Western Bulldogs AFL Round 3: Dogs come from the clouds to leave Blues winless after three rounds
Third-gamer Sam Davidson produced the game of his life to help Western Bulldogs condemn Carlton to a 0-3 start to the season for the first time since 2019 and intensify the pressure on Michael Voss.
Carlton will go into its blockbuster clash with Collingwood next week still searching for its first win after failing to run out yet another match against Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
The Blues led at halftime for the third straight week but were overrun by the Bulldogs to go down by eight points.
Brodie Kemp lifted in the absence of Harry McKay, booting a career high five goals, while ruckman Tom De Koning was brilliant all night.
But it wasn’t enough for the Blues as a well-drilled and relentless Bulldogs outfit – led by stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore – capitalised in the important moments.
Liberatore had 30 disposals and laid 10 tackles while mature-age recruit Sam Davidson had a terrific night on the wing.
Coach Luke Beveridge said the Dogs had “found a player” in Davidson, who went pick 51 in the national draft, after comparing him to former West Coast star Matera.
“A really influential game on that wing … as I walked in I said ‘you’re playing like Peter Matera’ thinking ‘he doesn’t even know who Peter Matera is’,” Beveridge said.
“But he really did (play like Matera), he stood out in his third game, sometimes you can’t tell but you could process that as the game went on that he was having a night.
“Again, really encouraging for Sam but definitely for us because we’ve really found a player there.”
Carlton was also beaten by a familiar face in the middle, with former Blue Matthew Kennedy gathering 22 disposals and kicking two goals.
‘MARRA MAKES RETURN
Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made an appearance at the footy on Friday night after a week of scrutiny surrounding his attendance at matches.
Ugle-Hagan posted a photo on social media out with friends instead of at the club’s centenary match against Collingwood at the MCG.
But he was spotted at half time happily mingling with members of the crowd this week.
Ugle-Hagan is on a flexible training program with no timeline to return as he battles personal issues.
Goal kicking great Jason Dunstall hoped Ugle-Hagan’s appearance was “a step in the right direction”.
“Great to see him here, I am sure the Bulldogs fans are loving seeing him here … let’s hope it’s a step in the right direction to getting him back,” he said on Fox Footy.
HUGE EFFORT FROM DALE TO SET UP O'DONNELL.#AFLBluesDogspic.twitter.com/iHardy5Fc4
— AFL (@AFL) March 28, 2025
INEFFICIENT DOGGIES
Western Bulldogs failed to make the most of its dominant front half possession with a goalless first quarter.
The Bulldogs went inside 50 16 times – four more than Carlton – but kicked just four behinds.
At the 21-minute mark of the opening quarter, the Doggies led the time in forward half percentage 72 to 28.
A lot of it had to do with Blues full back Jacob Weitering, who had eight disposals and seven marks while holding star Bulldog Sam Darcy to four touches.
The Dogs eventually kicked their first goal on their 19th entry inside 50 during the second quarter.
KEMP WITH HIS FIFTH!#AFLBluesDogspic.twitter.com/FHOSHfDPb0
— AFL (@AFL) March 28, 2025
Curnow's selling candy at Marvel 🚨@Coles | #AFLBluesDogspic.twitter.com/VKGEk2e43d
— AFL (@AFL) March 28, 2025
ZAC’S RUN KICKSTARTS CHARLIE
Carlton dasher Zach Williams sliced through the middle of the ground in the first quarter to help spearhead Charlie Curnow get on the board.
Williams cut off a loose handball on the paint of his defensive 50 and burst through the middle of the ground – taking two bounces before finding Curnow at half forward.
It was an early settler for Curnow who was held goalless by Hawthorn’s Josh Battle last week.
Curnow needed little help later in the term, dancing around Bulldog Liam Jones on the mark to kick his second.
Williams was not able to continue his bright start to the match after being ruled out during the second quarter with Achilles soreness.
Originally published as Carlton v Western Bulldogs AFL Round 3: Dogs come from the clouds to leave Blues winless after three rounds
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