Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan believes referees have changed the game of rugby league through too many stoppages as a result of penalties, and called on NRL boss Todd Greenberg to step in.

"Todd has got to look at it," Flanagan said after the Sharks beat the Melbourne Storm 14-4 in a match that that included one try and 33 penalties.

"The referees are doing just what they're told to do. We've been talking about this for a month now. What you saw at the end of the game is because of the 19-14 penalty count. Players are getting frustrated … penalty after penalty."

Friday night's game ended with a lengthy melee involving nearly all 26 players. It started in the final seconds of the match and then continued well after the full-time hooter.

"But you can't blame the referees … it's not their fault," Flanagan said.

"They're doing what they've been told to do. Someone needs to go and ask Todd. It impacts on what the game looks like. There's that many penalties, that many stoppages - there's not a lot of ball in play. So it has changed our game definitely."

Cronulla co-captain Paul Gallen said the Sharks were trying to get their penalty rate down.