The Sydney Swans have accepted a first and final warning from the AFL in relation to the time their runner Jeremy Laidler spent on the ground in the dying minutes of Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium against North Melbourne.

The AFL sent the club a "please explain" following the incident when Laidler failed to get off the ground quickly enough after delivering a message and found himself near a North Melbourne player standing in space behind a forward 50 stoppage.

At the time the Swans held a narrow lead in the game and went on to win and Laidler did not appear to have an impact on the play.

The Swans are understood to have met with the AFL on Wednesday and accepted the warning, with the club adamant Laidler's actions were innocent rather than a deliberate attempt to influence the game.