Vescio stars in milestone game as Blues and Swans reach preliminary finals

Carlton has claimed a thrilling five-point semifinal win over Hawthorn, with 100-gamer Darcy Vescio starring as the Blues set up an AFLW preliminary final against Melbourne.

Hawthorn started fast at Princes Park, but the Blues fought back, with Vescio slotting the match winner to deliver a 6.7 (43) to 6.2 (38) win in front of 4,701 fans.

Hawthorn star Aine McDonagh could have kicked the winner with two minutes left but missed everything from close range.

Earlier, Sydney pulled off an upset, defeating Geelong by three points in the other semifinal to progress to a final-four clash with North Melbourne.

Hawthorn was without Eliza West for the pivotal final moments after the star on-baller suffered a left knee injury.

West was clearly best on ground and had 25 disposals, 10 tackles, 14 contested possessions and three clearances in the first half alone, before finishing with 31 touches.

Defender Jenna Richardson was important while Jac Dupuy kicked two goals and had an entertaining duel with Carlton’s Harriet Cordner (six marks, 11 intercepts).

Carlton skipper Abbie McKay lifted and had 29 disposals and nine clearances.

The Hawks dominated the early exchanges, at one point leading clearances 10-1, kicking three goals to race to a game-high 19-point lead in the first term.

Carlton stopped the rot when Tara Bohanna cut the quarter-time margin to 11.

Lila Keck sparked Carlton before Lily Goss made the most of a contentious 50-metre penalty against Casey Sherriff to cut the half-time deficit to four.

Then, in the third quarter, Vescio won a free kick and kicked truly to put Carlton in front for the first time.

Mackenzie Eardley restored Hawthorn’s lead before Vescio forced the ball forward and Sophie McKay spun on a dime in the square, beating three Hawks to put the Blues back in front.

Eardley struck again to make for a thrilling finish, but Vescio took a strong contested mark then snatched victory with her second goal of the game.

Concern for Cats ruck as Swans reach maiden preliminary final

Earlier, there were concerning scenes as Geelong ruck Piper Dunlop was stretchered from the field on a motorised cart in the Cats’ shock loss to Sydney.

Dunlop went down after a head clash with Sydney’s Tanya Kennedy during the third quarter at Kardinia Park.

She initially returned to her feet before becoming unsteady and falling on the edge of the centre circle, caught by Sydney’s Lexi Hamilton before trainers sprinted onto the ground to attend to her.

The game was stopped for nine minutes as medical staff gathered on the field, Dunlop eventually leaving the field on the motorised cart.

Geelong has since said Dunlop was taken to hospital for “further precautionary assessment”.

Forward Chloe Molloy was the star for the Swans, kicking three goals and taking a key late mark to see her side through to its first-ever AFLW preliminary final. 

The 8.2 (50) to 7.5 (47) victory means Sydney will face two-time defending premiers North Melbourne next weekend.

Geelong, meanwhile, bows out of the finals series in straight sets after just one loss in the regular season.

The Swans led by 16 points early in the final quarter, but goals to Chloe Scheer and Jacqueline Perry cut the deficit to four points minutes later.

Scheer proceeded to hit the post, with her behind proving the final score of the game.

Geelong experienced a torrid afternoon on the injury front.

In addition to Dunlop’s concerning head knock, the Cats lost Amy McDonald to a hamstring injury in the shadows of half-time, Rachel Kearns was absent for most of the second half, and star midfielder Georgie Prespakis spent time off the field after a heavy collision.

All three of Molloy’s goals came in the first half, including one spectacular effort in which she gathered and snapped from an acute angle on the right.

Young key forward Maddie Quinn (22 disposals, one goal) was also impressive for the Swans, while Scheer finished with three majors for Geelong.

AAP/ABC

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