A SEETHING Melbourne Storm will on Monday lodge an official complaint to the NRL to follow coach Craig Bellamy’s claims of biased officiating in the loss to Newcastle.

Bellamy accused referee Ashley Klein of “not liking the way we play our football” after a heavily lopsided 11-3 penalty count against Melbourne in its dramatic after-the-siren loss on Saturday night.

The Knights — bolstered by a staggering 7-0 penalty count in its favour in the second half — scored twice in the final three minutes to steal a 32-30 win and deal Storm’s top four aspirations a massive blow.

media_camera Craig Bellamy is fuming at Ashley Klein.

Gutted Melbourne chiefs were still livid with the officiating on Sunday, especially given the importance of the match in the context of their season.

The Herald Sun understands the club will on Monday vent its frustrations with the NRL, with the 7-0 penalty count in the second half its major concern.

Storm officials have gone through a replay of the match and identified a high number of errors to make up the report that will be sent to the NRL.

However, it is believed the Storm will deal with the matter swiftly and not let it linger in order to reset the focus for Saturday’s crucial game against bottom-placed Cronulla at AAMI Park.

media_camera Ashley Klein sends Billy Slater to the sin bin earlier this year. Picture: Colleen Petch

Bellamy — who was equally furious with his players for their poor defensive display against the Knights — revealed on Saturday night that he had previously spoken to referees boss Tony Archer about Klein’s treatment of his side.

“We’ve had that many times when we’ve had him this year and the penalty count, it hasn’t even been close,” Bellamy said after the loss.

“Every time we have Ashley we always seem to be on the wrong side of the penalty count and a fair way on the wrong side.”

Klein has officiated six Storm games this season, with Melbourne awarded more penalties than the opposition just once.

Three times the Storm have been on the wrong end, with a tied count on two occasions.

Saturday night’s game was comfortably the most lopsided penalty count this season for a Storm game that Klein has officiated in.

It remains to be seen whether Bellamy will be fined for this comments.

The Storm coach has already copped a $10,000 fine this season, $5000 of which was suspended, for not attending a post-match press conference following the 22-19 win over Manly earlier in the year.