Western Bulldogs midfielder Matthew Kennedy has been handed a one-match suspension by the match review officer Michael Christian for his bump on Sydney's Caiden Cleary.

Kennedy elected to bump Cleary in congestion in the Dogs' backline during the second quarter. The action resulted in a free kick to Cleary who passed his concussion test and played out the rest of the match.

The Bulldogs have now slipped to a record of 9-7 and eighth spot on the ladder.

Coach Luke Beveridge will be forced into at least three changes with Connor Budarick (leg injury), Nick Coffield (concussion), and Kennedy set to miss.

The Dogs coach provided an update on the duo during the post-game press conference.

"My understanding is (Budarick has sustained) a lower leg injury, which is usually the simple term for a syndesmosis-type injury," Beveridge said.

"As to the extent of what that might be, we won't be able to tell you until we have a look at it with the radiographer."

Regarding Coffield's concussion:

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"The doctors instigated (the HIA assessment)," he said. "I haven't seen the replay, but he got clipped.

"I don't have an answer for you on how he is just yet; that'll come in due course."

After a dour performance against Brisbane the week prior, Sydney bounced back on Friday night and did so without key forwards Joel Amartey (achilles) and Logan McDonald, plus small forward Tom Papley.

Next weekend, the Swans face a tough fixture against Fremantle out in the west. While Amartey will miss an extended period of time, Sydney coach Dean Cox said the side could be boosted by the return of two of the club's forwards.

"(Papley's) done everything he needs to do to put his name up," Cox said.

"It's just about how quickly you bring these players back into the team. Hopefully, he's done enough that he can warrant selection."

"(McDonald's injury) was really close to the game, so we just couldn't take that risk. 

"There's still some doubt for next week with Logan as well, so we'll work through what we do in the next couple of days."

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