Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe has been dealt a two-match ban for an off-the-ball hit on Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachlan McNeil, in a blow for the Swans as they seek to make a late AFL finals push.
Rampe was charged with rough conduct over the incident, which occurred during the first quarter of the Swans' thrilling two-point win at the SCG on Thursday.
The result, sealed by Tom Papley's late goal in coach John Longmire's 300th match at the helm, kept Sydney (7-1-9) in the finals equation.
But Rampe's ban has taken some of the gloss off the triumph.
The experienced defender bumped McNeil, who was not braced for contact, and sent his opponent crashing to the turf away from the play.
The league's match review officer on Friday graded Rampe's actions as careless conduct, high impact and high contact.
Rampe missed two months with a neck injury earlier this season but has featured in Sydney's past six games.
The 33-year-old is now set to miss away matches against Fremantle (Optus Stadium) and Essendon (Marvel Stadium).
Rampe last month signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the Swans until the end of 2025.
