Sydney led Carlton by 22 points at halftime of Saturday night’s AFL semi-final at ANZ Stadium, despite losing Kurt Tippett and Tom Mitchell to injury in the first quarter.

Star recruit Tippett limped off in the seventh minute due to an apparent knee injury and was substituted out of the game 10 minutes later when he struggled to jog on the sideline.

Two minutes after the exit of the reigning premiers’ star recruit, Mitchell hobbled off with an ankle injury and was unable to return.

But the Blues failed to apply the necessary pressure and were unable to take advantage, with the Swans holding a 8.6 (54) to 4.8 (32) lead at halftime.

Sydney used the ball much better than the visitors, while veterans Jarrad McVeigh, Jude Bolton and Ryan O’Keefe kicked clutch goals.

McVeigh was magnificent in the second term, causing turnovers, gathering 20 touches and spearheading much of the hosts’ meaningful forward surges.

Carlton had their own injury concerns, with Ed Curnow substituted off midway through the second quarter with a suspected knee issue.

The game is threatening to become a war of attrition, with Sydney defender Dane Rampe hobbling off late in the second term.

The winner of Saturday night’s clash will take on Fremantle for a place in the grand final.