AFLW expert Kate McCarthy has warned Carlton to fix a key "deficiency" in its game if it has any hope of being flag contenders in November. 

After the Blues went down to the Western Bulldogs by 30 points on Saturday, McCarthy called them out for their inability to score more than three goals in the match. 

It continues a worrying trend for the Blues, whose three lowest scores have all been against top four sides in the competition (Melbourne, North Melbourne and now the Bulldogs), with each game resulting in just three goals. 

"I would say this is more than a little issue right now," McCarthy said on AFL.com.au's The Wrap.

"I think this is probably alarm bells, from the perspective that the three toughest opponents that you've played all season, you've scored three goals. Yes, you've had more scoring shots and been inaccurate, but then you've also given up to Melbourne and to the Bulldogs, a number of goals on the other side of that."

Carlton’s match against North Melbourne was highly praised at the time for being competitive, given the fact that they were also able to hold North Melbourne to just four goals.

However the Blues' matches against the Dee, and the Dogs weren't as tight, with both margins blowing out to over 30 points.

McCarthy also said that the trend is a new problem for Blues, who put themselves on the map in 2025 by getting on the scoreboard. 

"If you can't score more than three goals against the top sides of the competition - and Carlton had no problem scoring last year they were very potent with scores on the board - it's something that they're going to have to adjust and look at," McCarthy said. 

"Early in the season, they really struggled to score from stoppage. Those three teams didn't really offer a whole lot on the turnover game.

"Let's be honest, if you're going to win the flag, you're going to have to beat one of these sides, you would think, and probably the one sitting in round five, North Melbourne. But the other two, very competitive all year."

With just two rounds left in the home and away season, the Blues will face Greater Western Sydney and Brisbane in their run home. 

Currently sitting in sixth spot, four points behind the Western Bulldogs in fourth and only percentage behind Gold Coast in fifth, the Blues will need to get back to scoring big if they wish to rise into the top four and be competitive for finals. 

"That's a deficiency of their game," McCarthy said,

"That they're going to have to get right and get right quickly if they are genuine flag contenders for this season."