Life has not got any easier for the winless Western Bulldogs after they recorded a sixth consecutive AFLW loss, suffering a 19-point defeat by Carlton.
All eyes were on the Bulldogs to see how they could respond and if they could snare that elusive victory after coach Nathan Burke told media that players were lacking the level of professionalism and fitness needed to win games.
However, they fell 4.10 (34) to 8.5 (53) to the Blues - who were without injured skipper Kerryn Peterson - at their Whitten Oval home on Friday night.
Elisabeth Georgostathis (29 disposals, five clearances) produced a career-best performance for the crestfallen Bulldogs, while Keeley Sherar (28, three) was a midfield bull for the Blues.
Wasting no time in putting the hosts on the back foot, Carlton locked the ball in their forward 50 - gaining nine inside 50s to the Bulldogs' none.
Phoebe McWilliams and Abbie McKay broke through a sturdy Bulldogs backline to open the Blues' account.
An incorrect disposal by Mimi Hill gifted the Bulldogs their first goal, with Brianna McFarlane putting boot to ball as the crowd roared.
A major by Jessica Good for the Blues quickly silenced the Bulldogs faithful before quarter-time.
With her Bulldogs team trailing by 15 points, Brit Gutknecht snatched her first major since snapping her right leg in a horror accident in last season's round-two match against Port Adelaide.
Daisy Walker cut the party short with her first AFLW goal to bring the margin back to 14 points.
Darcy Vescio, Lily Goss, Mia Austin and Erone Fitzpatrick were among the Blues' goalkickers as the Bulldogs crumbled in the second half.
Isabelle Pritchard kicked a goal on the final siren to cut the margin to 19 points as a consolation for the wayward Bulldogs.
Blues coach Mathew Buck hailed his side's continued success in on-field contests, praising his midfield as the surging side saw goals from eight different players.
"It's important in footy that your mids do hit the board as well," he said.
"It's been a bit of a focus through our preseason around can our mids hit the board more, and it's pleasing to see it tonight."
The pressure of wanting to perform and yearning to get a score on the board may have led to the Bulldogs' undoing, coach Burke said after the match.
"Sometimes that can spur you and sometimes it can be, 'I don't want to make a mistake. I don't want to upset that really good start'," he said.
But Burke believes the struggling Bulldogs can improve as the list gains more experience.
"That's not a talent thing. It's something that comes with experience, knowing how to handle the situation, knowing how to keep making good decisions when you get tired and when the pressure comes on."
With no chance for finals, the Western Bulldogs (0-6) continue their soul searching with a face-off against Adelaide next round while Carlton (4-2) take on top eight hopefuls Collingwood at Ikon Park.
