Distressing scenes for Cats ruck as Swans progress to maiden preliminary final

Geelong ruck Piper Dunlop has been stretchered from the field on a motorised cart in concerning scenes during her side's AFLW semifinal clash with the Sydney, which the Swans went on to win by three points.

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.

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 preliminary final.

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

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, while Rachel Kearns was absent for most of the second-half.

Carlton faces Hawthorn in the other semi-final, with the winner of this evening's match to face Melbourne next weekend.