Carlton Blues vs Western Bulldogs Tips - Bulldogs to inflict more misery on Carlton in Friday night footy

• Carlton Blues vs Western Bulldogs, Round 3 2025 - Expert Prediction
• Head to Head 
• Carlton Blues Form Analysis & Betting Trends
• Carlton Blues Team News
• Carlton Blues Team List
• Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
• 2025 Betting Trends
• Western Bulldogs Team News
• Western Bulldogs Team List
• Carlton Blues vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 3 FAQ’s

Can Carlton break the ice with their first win in 2025 or will it be another night of frustration for their fans?

The Blues were embarrassed in Round 1 when squandering a 41-point lead to go down to Richmond, while they were outclassed late by Hawthorn last weekend, dropping that clash by 20. Another loss will spell plenty of trouble.

The Western Bulldogs have lost no admirers so far this season and have been dealt a harsh hand with injuries to a stack of key players. Luke Beveridge’s side were able to overcome North Melbourne in Round 1 before going down to Collingwood by a goal in Round 2.

Sam Darcy starred with four goals and the battle between him and Carlton’s Jake Weitering will be pivotal, as will the ruck duel between Tim English and Tom de Koning.

Despite injuries to the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, the Dogs look to have enough depth to cover with Tom Liberatore, Bailey Dale and Ed Richards among a number to find plenty of the footy. Expect the Dogs to extend Carlton’s misery.  Sam Darcy and Rhylee West can have scoreboard impact, while the Dogs mids can step up again in the absence of Adam Treloar and the ‘Bont’

• Carlton have won just two of their past 12 matches with those wins coming over the easybeats in West Coast and North Melbourne.
• Sam Darcy is in hot form and comes off four goals against Collingwood.
• The Bulldogs have won the last two matches between the two sides
• Bailey Dale and Tom Liberatore have stepped up in the absence of Bontempelli and Treloar.

Head to Head 

The Bulldogs have won the last two matches between the two sides, including the Round 18 fixture in 2024 by 14 points. Bailey Dale picked up 31 disposals in that match for the Dogs, while Rhylee West chimed in with four goals. Patrick Cripps, Blake Acres and Sam Walsh all had 25+ disposals for Carlton. Walsh has averaged 28 disposals in his past four matches against the Dogs, while Charile Curnow has booted 11 in his past three. The past four matches between the two sides have been decided by 20 points or less.

Carlton Blues Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Carlton’s form is a major concern. They have won just two of their last 12 matches with those wins coming over some easybeats in North Melbourne and West Coast last season.

Scoring has been an issue and they rank 16th in the competition for points scored over their last 10 matches. They have gone under the total points in their past eight matches.

2025 Betting Trends

Carlton Blues Team News

Harry McKay is expected to return for Carlton after being a late withdrawal last weekend due to illness. Charlie Curnow looked underdone at his first game back but should be better for the run and the return of McKay will help.

Carlton Blues Team List

B: L.Young, J.Weitering, L.Cowan HB: A.Saad, M.McGovern, O.Hollands C: B.Acres, P.Cripps - C, M.Cottrell HF: J.Motlop, J.Silvagni, L.Fogarty F: B.Kemp, C.Curnow, S.Docherty FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett I/C: N.Haynes, S.Walsh, J.Boyd, Z.Williams, F.Evans EMG: L.Camporeale, W.White, A.Moir In: J.Boyd, F.Evans Out: L.Camporeale (Omitted), C.Lord (Omitted)

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

The Western Bulldogs pushed Collingwood last weekend, despite the absence of Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Liam Jones and Cody Weightman. They broke even at the clearances but were lower for inside 50s. Darcy did well to keep them in it with four goals.

The Dogs rank 4th for scoring over their past 10 matches and are 2nd for defence, conceding 75 points per game in that period. Bailey Dale and Tom Liberatore have stepped up in the absence of Bontempelli and Treloar, averaging over 30 disposals this year, while Joel Freijah is a tick over 25.

2025 Betting Trends

Western Bulldogs Team News

No immediate relief for the Dogs as far as the major names are concerned but James O’Donnell should be right to return from a broken jaw and can bolster the backline.

Western Bulldogs Team List

B: B.Khamis, L.Jones, H.Gallagher HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale C: B.Williams, T.Liberatore - C, S.Davidson HF: L.McNeil, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy F: L.Vandermeer, S.Darcy, J.Harmes FOLL: T.English, J.Freijah, E.Richards I/C: O.Baker, J.Dolan, J.O’Donnell, R.Sanders, R.West EMG: J.Croft, A.Jones, C.Poulter In: L.Jones, J.O’Donnell Out: T.Duryea (Managed), A.Jones (Omitted)