SYDNEY has elected to challenge the two-match suspension handed to defender Tom McCartin despite Adelaide's Shane McAdam suffering a depressed cheekbone fracture in the incident on Saturday night.

McCartin was suspended for two weeks for rough conduct on McAdam, with the incident graded careless, high impact and high contact, meaning the Swans defender would miss this weekend's game against Melbourne and their elimination final in three weeks.

The Swans defender and McAdam were going for the ball in the frenetic last term of Saturday night's controversial one-point Sydney win when they collided. McCartin appeared to collect the Crows forward in the head with his shoulder, with McAdam left floored by the incident.

The Crows said on Monday that McAdam requires surgery on a depressed cheekbone fracture he suffered in the incident.

Speaking before the Crows confirmed McAdam's injury, the Swans announced they would challenge the ban.

"We feel it was an accidental football incident," Swans coach John Longmire said. "The ball deviated, Tommy didn't even brace let alone elect to bump. He didn't have a lot of choice and that's why we’ll be going for it," Longmire said.

If the two-match ban stands, McCartin's season could be over with games to come against Melbourne on Sunday followed by an elimination final.