John Longmire is adamant there is still room for on-field accidents in the AFL as Sydney prepare to challenge Dane Rampe's two-match suspension for rough conduct.
Swans co-captain Rampe will face the tribunal on Tuesday night after being charged over an off-the-ball collision with Western Bulldogs player Lachlan McNeil.
Rampe's actions were was graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact.
The Bulldogs on Monday said McNeil was winded from the hit and completed last Thursday night's game without any concerns, but then suffered delayed signs of concussion.
Longmire, victorious against the Bulldogs in his 300th game as a coach, defended Rampe and claimed the backman was focused on reaching a contest rather than making any contact with his opponent.
"Dane was doing what he needs to do, which is getting in a position to try and get up the ground and spoil," Longmire told reporters on Monday.
"There was a last-minute change of direction and unfortunately accidents happen in football.
"It's an unfortunate incident that happened but these things do happen in the game and you have to look at it closely and understand the context of the decision that was being made.
"These things, in a 360-degree sport, will happen at times."
The AFL is cracking down on head contact amid the ongoing focus on the effects of concussion in professional sport.
"We're supportive of the game and where it's going," Longmire said. "However, you just can't legislate against everything - particularly football actions."
As it stands, Rampe will miss crucial encounters with Fremantle on Saturday night and Essendon in round 20 as the Swans seek to continue their late-season push towards the top eight.
Carlton's Jordan Boyd will also face the tribunal, having been referred directly over his dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Darcy Byrne-Jones.
Byrne-Jones was concussed in the incident, with Boyd's actions graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact.
Adelaide forward Josh Rachele faces a two-match ban for striking GWS player Jack Buckley.
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was charged with striking over his off-the-ball elbow to West Coast's Alex Witherden but is free to play against Hawthorn on Saturday.
Martin was fined $5000 for his second offence, though the penalty can be reduced to $3000 with an early guilty plea.
Tigers teammate Marlion Pickett was fined $3000 - or $2000 with an early plea - for rough conduct on Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern.
Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe and North Melbourne pair Tarryn Thomas and Tristan Xerri were fined for striking offences in Sunday's clash, while Kangaroos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke was fined for careless contact with an umpire.
