SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards is contesting the rough conduct charge arising from the game against the Western Bulldogs on Manuka Oval last Saturday.

Richards and Swans general manager, football, Dean Moore, travelled to Melbourne today so Richards can appear at tonight's tribunal hearing where he will contest the charge laid by the AFL's match review panel.

Richards was charged with rough conduct in a second-quarter incident with Bulldog Lindsay Gilbee.

Richards' contact with Gilbee was assessed as negligent, medium impact and high contact, earning him 225 demerit points and a two-match suspension. Richards' five-year good record brings his penalty down to 168.75 points and a one-game ban. An early plea reduces the sanction by a further 25 per cent to 126.56 points and a one-match sanction.