The fiery build-up to Saturday's qualifying final between Melbourne and Parramatta has ramped up another notch with Craig Bellamy taking his concerns about the Sydney club's defensive tactics to NRL referees boss Tony Archer on Monday.

There is no shortage of tension between the minor premiers and the Eels, who finished the season fourth, ahead of their clash at AAMI Park, particularly between Bellamy and Parramatta coach Brad Arthur.

The Storm mentor is still fuming at Arthur's suggestion following victory over South Sydney last Friday night that if the visitors were "allowed to play a bit of football we might be a chance" in Melbourne this weekend.

The title favourites had anticipated a rival team complaining about their so-called smothering defence at some point in the finals but were surprised that the jab had come from someone who spent four years at the Storm and who they still regard south of the border as one of their own.