NORTH MELBOURNE coach Dean Laidley has raised the controversial issue of 'tunnelling' with the AFL umpires department in the lead-up to his side's elimination final clash with the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Laidley said after re-watching the Roos and Swans' last meeting – when they drew at Telstra Dome in round six – the 'tunneling' issue needed to be addressed. He confirmed one of the club's assistant coaches spoke with AFL director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen on Monday morning.

"The last time we played the Swans, I thought our key forwards were tunnelled and I thought their arms were taken [out of play]," Laidley said.

"We've spoken the umpires' department this morning and they acknowledged that they probably missed some stuff [last time].

"Leo Barry on Nathan Thompson and Craig Bolton, [they're] very good at it, the Swans – very good at it. But we're going to have the best umpires this weekend and I'm sure they won't miss it this weekend. I'm sure it'll be at the forefront of their mind."

Laidley suggested the club took up the issue with the AFL umpiring department because of some questionable decisions made last time.

"It was just a question asked. We wanted to go through the stats with them and have a look at the fallout from the last time we played them and they said there were some free kicks that were missed," Laidley said.

"We just wanted to make them aware of it, going into this week's game and we've got some key forwards in pretty good form and we want to keep them in good form. We want to give them an opportunity to go and compete for the ball unimpeded.

"I think the Swans are very, very well coached and they're very disciplined and they defend very well. All we are saying is we want our key forwards to have a good run at the football – an unimpeded run at the football, so they can compete for a mark."