Sydney's senior ruck stocks rest with Canadian import Mike Pyke after Shane Mumford on Tuesday night became the first AFL player suspended for making a dangerous tackle.

Mumford was suspended for two games after being found guilty of engaging in rough conduct for slinging Geelong star Gary Ablett across his own body at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.

Mumford's pain was eased because his sanction was downgraded from a three-game ban to two after the jury ruled his conduct was negligent instead of reckless.

"That's not the result that I was looking for but I've just got to take it on the chin," said Mumford, who became the first player outed under the AFL rule introduced at the start of the year prohibiting dangerous tackles.

The Swans are yet to announce whether they will appeal against the verdict.

Mumford's loss is a major blow for Sydney, who are now desperately short of seasoned ruckmen, as No.1 choice Mark Seaby is sidelined by an ankle injury.

With Mumford now out, the Swans are likely to turn to Pyke as their first-choice ruckman for Saturday's game against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra despite the former rugby back having played just nine AFL games.

Behind Pyke, the Swans are short on options, as Jesse White has played mainly as a tall forward this season, rookie Jake Orreal is also injured and Adam Goodes no longer plays in the ruck for risk of injury.

Mumford claimed he rolled his former teammate across his body to prevent Ablett breaking the tackle with his trademark strength.

The Swans stressed although Ablett's head made contact with the turf, Mumford's tackle did not constitute a spear tackle, and that Ablett's legs left the ground after they came into contact with Mumford's.

But AFL legal counsel Jeff Gleeson SC said the tackle began as a "perfect" one because Mumford pinned one of Ablett's arms, but the second action in rolling the Cats star to the left was "unnecessary in the circumstances".

Gleeson said Mumford's action was "inherently dangerous", and Geelong's medical report stated Ablett suffered a mild headache after landing and experienced "mild visual disturbance".

Mumford will also miss the round-nine game against Fremantle.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hawthorn midfielder Chance Bateman was suspended for three games after pleading guilty to engaging in rough conduct, for his big bump on West Coast's Brad Sheppard at Subiaco last Saturday.

The struggling Hawks will lose Bateman for games against Richmond, Carlton and Sydney.

Last-placed Richmond will be without defender Dean Polo for Sunday's game against the Hawks after he was suspended for one game for striking Adelaide's Richard Douglas on Sunday night at AAMI Stadium.

Brisbane Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger was fined $900 for making negligent contact with an umpire at the Gabba last Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the match review panel did not lay any reports from Monday night's St Kilda-Carlton game at Etihad Stadium.

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