During the third quarter of Geelong’s AFLW semi-final against Sydney, Cats ruck Piper Dunlop suffered a nasty head clash and hit the turf. She was immediately aided by Sydney forward Lexi Hamilton, who works as a trained nurse and paramedic.
On-Field Emergency Response
Following the collision with Tanya Kennedy, Dunlop attempted to continue playing before stumbling and appearing to lose consciousness. Hamilton rushed over to cushion her fall, placed her into the recovery position, and held her head steady until medical personnel reached the scene. Dunlop was subsequently stretchered off the field and transported to a hospital via ambulance.
Geelong coach Mick Stinear reported that Dunlop was conscious upon being taken to the hospital. Stinear stated that Dunlop was undergoing further imaging and was in good hands while they awaited the results.
Sydney coach Colin O’Riordan described the incident as terrifying to watch while praising Hamilton for her quick response. O’Riordan noted that Hamilton’s instinct to help someone took over despite the intense competition, highlighting her character and professional training.
Match Outcome and Injuries
In the hard-fought match, the Swans defeated Geelong by three points at GMHBA Stadium, securing a 8.2 (50) to 7.5 (47) victory. The win earned Sydney a preliminary final match against reigning premiers North Melbourne.
Key performances for the Swans included young ruck Maddie Quinn, who recorded 22 disposals, 18 hit-outs, and one goal, alongside star player Chloe Molloy, who contributed three goals and 15 disposals. Meanwhile, the Cats faced additional setbacks during the game, losing three-time best and fairest winner Amy McDonald to a hamstring injury, while Rachel Kearns played with a hip limitation and Georgie Prespakis returned after passing a concussion test following a heavy hit.
