Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli overcame a sore back to play a pivotal role in their scrappy AFL win over bottom side Carlton.
Coach Luke Beveridge defended Bontempelli after a controversial 50m penalty in the last quarter of the 10.6 (66) to 7.7 (49) win on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
It is the Bulldogs' third-straight win.
Bontempelli dropped to the ground after Blues defender Jed Lamb hit him in the back.
That cost the Blues the 50m penalty and it ensured Lin Jong kicked a crucial goal, one of four for the Bulldogs in the last quarter as they kicked clear.
There was talk that Bontempelli had milked the contact, but Beveridge said the Bulldogs star was nursing a sore back after he was hurt in last week's win over North Melbourne.
"He got a hit right on that spot he landed on last week - there's no way Marcus Bontempell would ever take a dive," Beveridge said.
Bontempelli racked up 11 disposals in the last quarter, giving him a game-high 37.
He, Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae were prominent in the final term as the Dogs kicked four goals to two.
Beveridge doubts Bontempelli will play in their season-ending game against Richmond.
"I'm dobbing him in for next week, if he plays, but he's a tough young fella," Beveridge said.
"He got through today, but he was in a fair bit of pain and under a fair bit of duress.
"He's had an outstanding game for a player who's had that to confront."
There was already plenty of feeling in the game before the Lamb-Bontempelli incident and it sparked several spot fires.
A fan then threw a bottle on the field, prompting stadium security to intervene.
"It's a disgrace ... the great thing about Aussie rules fans is that whoever threw would have been chastised, I hope," Beveridge said.
"Hopefully they were marched out."
Only 11 goals were scored in the opening three quarters, despite the closed roof.
At three-quarter time the Bulldogs had eight more inside 50s and 15 more clearances, but had butchered the ball too often and only led by four points.
The Dogs eventually won the clearances 44-19.
Just as Bontempelli led the way for the Bulldogs, veteran Carlton defender Kade Simpson shone in the dour scrap.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton has no doubt that Simpson will keep playing next season.
Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning made his AFL debut and was mobbed by teammates when he kicked his first goal in the second term.
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