Carlton suffered a shock loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, losing club champion Chris Judd and an excellent opportunity to make ground on bottom end of the top eight.
The 28-point, 16. 21 (117) to 13.11 (89) loss was compounded by the news Judd would miss the remainder of the season with a strained medial ligament plus a further injury to Jeff Garlett.
The loss saw Carlton fail to make up ground on eighth placed Port Adelaide, 44-point losers to Geelong earlier on Saturday. Carlton remain two games behind the Power with three games remaining in the home and away season, however their run home will feature match-ups against three top eight opponents in Richmond, Essendon and the Power.
The Bulldogs dominated from the onset, but failed to make the most of their opportunities, scoring 2.6 and going into the quarter time break with just a five-point advantage.
Man of the match Jarrad Grant helped pace a better second term for the Dogs, going ahead at one stage by 28 points.
Judd and Brock McLean lifted as the Blues fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit to level the game late in the third quarter until a four goal to one final term saw the Bulldogs take their season win tally up to six.
The Bulldogs were far too hungry, far too good and made a mockery of our defensive mindset,” Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said post-match.
Midfield stars Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen starred for the Bulldogs while Grant added four goals and Will Minson was the dominant ruckman of the day.
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