Barry Hall dominated up forward with six goals, taking his season’s tally to 54, while Matthew Boyd shaded Chris Judd, as the Bulldogs won 20.6 (126) to 8.10 (58).
Adam Cooney was also among the most impressive players, collecting 33 disposals in his 150th appearance, and Brian Lake was brilliant in defence after spending the first 10 minutes of the match at full-forward.
In addition, Ryan Griffen was at his damaging best, booting a couple of superb running goals and helping the Dogs snap a three-game losing streak against the Blues.
Carlton’s small forwards failed to fire, with Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran managing only two goals between them.
Although shaded by Boyd, Judd (27 possessions and two goals) battled manfully, while Andrew Walker tried to inspire his side with some dash from defence, but his efforts were to no avail.
Carlton actually began brightly, with ruckman Sam Jacobs kicking the opening goal of the game.
The Blues were on top during much of the first quarter (the inside 50s were 17-15 in their favour), however their field kicking in attack was terrible, which led to countless wasted scoring chances.
In contrast, the Bulldogs’ delivery to Hall was far more efficient, allowing the big forward to bag two early goals as his team led by 15 points at the opening change.
Despite losing youngster Brennan Stack to a hamstring injury, the Dogs blew the contest apart in the second term, extending their advantage to 35 points at the long break.
Carlton players only had themselves to blame for their predicament, with some shocking turnovers handing the Bulldogs two of their majors on a platter.
“Our effectiveness with the footy early I think [really cost us],” admitted Blues coach Brett Ratten.
“We just turned the ball over so many times. We actually kicked it back to them or kicked it to the favoured side of the defenders.
“And I think we had one back 50 tackle as well, so … if that’s the case it’s not a team trying to save goals, that’s just allowing teams to walk through you.
“Defensively, I thought we were really, really poor today.”
The clash was all over at the last break, by which time the Dogs were 56 points in front and most of the Blues supporters had gone home.
“Today was a culmination of our effort over the past few weeks,” said Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.
“Last week [against Hawthorn] I was really pleased with our intensity and putting our bodies on the line and we didn't quite get over the line through a few mistakes.
“We obviously focused on some areas we needed to work on and that was good today.
“Against a team that was equal with us and a chance for a top four spot, to be able to play like we did was really pleasing.”
Eade’s men are now one win behind fourth-placed Fremantle. They host Port Adelaide (to be coached by Matthew Primus) in Darwin next Saturday night.
“There were some things we needed to tweak and we tweaked them, but we need to be consistent with that now,” Eade added.
The Swans' win over North Melbourne earlier on Sunday means Carlton has dropped to seventh on the ladder.
The Blues and Swans will do battle at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
Carlton 1.5 4.5 6.8 8.10 (58)
Western Bulldogs 4.2 10.4 16.4 20.6 (126)
GOALS
Carlton: Judd 2, Garlett 2, Jacobs, Henderson, Simpson, Robinson
Western Bulldogs: Hall 6, Griffen 2, Boyd 2, Murphy 2, Higgins 2, Picken, Johnson, Grant, Giansiracusa, Roughead, Cross
BEST
Carlton: Judd, Joseph, Walker, Gibbs, Murphy, Armfield
Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Lake, Boyd, Hall, Griffen, Morris, Higgins
INJURIES
Carlton: Henderson (corked knee)
Western Bulldogs: Stack (hamstring), Johnson (ankle), Hall (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stewart, Jeffery
Official crowd: 37,517 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
