Two-time premiership player Roger Merrett has accused Sydney coach Paul Roos of "squealing" about umpiring and says his complaints have started influencing officials.

The Swans have been largely on the wrong side of the free kick ledger in recent seasons because of their tightly-contested style of play.

They are the most heavily policed team in the AFL this season, earning the most frees with 82 but also having the most against in 91.

Former Brisbane caretaker coach Merrett said Roos' chats with umpire boss Jeff Gieschen was having an impact after watching Sydney's 17-point win over the Lions on Saturday night.

"I am sick of the amount of whingeing emanating from Sydney regarding the umpires," he wrote in his column for the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"Some of the free kicks given ... were tiggy-touch, and Lions coach Leigh Matthews is dead right in his view that players such as Swan star Adam Goodes are a protected species.

"From the pieces of play I saw, there were certainly some very soft free kicks going Sydney's way, and I thought they were being looked after," he said.

"Blokes like Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin are being looked after too much because Swans coach Paul Roos has squealed so often.

"Even fiery forward Barry Hall is starting to get some frees, which is very strange indeed.

"I believe the Sydney complaints are obviously starting to have an effect."

Roos was unable to be reached for a response.

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