The defending National Rugby League champions Melbourne have humbled fellow competition heavyweights South Sydney 26-8 at their home AAMI Park to close the gap to the top two.
With Rabbitohs superstar and former Storm star Greg Inglis out with the knee injury suffered during State of Origin last month, Melbourne capitalised to lead 14-6 at half-time.
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire says play shouldn't have continued with his winger Dylan Farrell knocked out on the side of the field later in the night.
Farrell was stretchered from the field in a neck brace following a head knock with team-mate Andrew Everingham's knee while going up to take a high ball.
Maguire says the game has a duty of care to put players first and he will seek clarification this week from the NRL as to why the referees didn't stop the game, which continued for several minutes late in the second half while Farrell lay prone in-goal before being attended to.
At the other end of the NRL ladder, Parramatta ended a run of 10 straight losses with a 26-22 win over Wests Tigers.
The Sydney Roosters continue to lead the competition.
