The high-flying Storm prove too strong for the Bulldogs at Belmore, while the Sharks earn bragging rights with a victory over their local rival the Dragons.

Storm's late blitz blows away Bulldogs

Melbourne consolidated its place in the top two on the ladder entering the State of Origin period, consigning Canterbury to last place with a 28-6 win over the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.

But the NRL's HIA policy is under fire with bloodied Melbourne full-back Jahrome Hughes allowed to play on after a sickening head clash.

Hughes was playing his first match since missing last week's win over the Wests Tigers after being badly concussed in a Magic Round late shot that earned Parramatta winger Maika Sivo a sin-binning and one-match suspension.

But despite laying prone for several minutes while being treated for a nasty head gash after clashing heavily with Storm teammate Dale Funicane in the opening minutes on Sunday Hughes was not required to undergo a head injury assessment.

In a cruel blow for Funicane, the under-rated backrower failed his HIA and was denied one last chance to press his claims for a New South Wales State of Origin call-up.

Melbourne prop Aiden Tolman was also sent for a first-half HIA, as Hughes carried on with head strapping.

Meanwhile, Josh Addo-Carr sliced through the Bulldogs defence for a brilliant 60-metre solo try to send the Storm on their way to a ninth win of the season.

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Addo-Carr's was the only try of the first half as Melbourne took an 8-0 lead to the break.

When the electrifying Blues winger started and finished the Storm's second try early in the second half, the writing appeared on the wall for the Bulldogs.

But an inspired effort from Sauaso Sue dragged the Bulldogs back into the contest, Dean Pay's cellar dwellers trailing just 14-6 with half-an-hour remaining.

In a show of great respect for the Bulldogs, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith slotted two penalty goals, rather than go for tries, to extend the Storm's lead to 12 points.

Will Chambers and Nelson Asofa-Solomona sealed a hard-earned victory with Melbourne's third and fourth tries late on, as the Storm consolidated their place in the top two behind South Sydney entering the Origin period.

The Bulldogs are dead last, behind Penrith on for-and-against, with just three wins from the opening 11 rounds.

Injury-hit Dragons lose derby to Sharks

St George Illawarra players show concern for Tyson Frizell after he was knocked out. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

Tyson Frizell may enter State of Origin I under an injury cloud after failing to finish St George Illawarra's 22-9 defeat by Cronulla due to concussion.

Frizell was knocked out late in the first half after a sickening head clash with Josh Dugan, before being ruled out for the rest of the match in Wollongong.

He was one of three first-half injuries that whittled the Dragons down to 14 men for the entire second period, along with James Graham and Tim Lafai (both ankle).

The injury toll cruelled any hope the Dragons had of holding onto a one-point half-time lead, and they slumped to a fifth straight defeat.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor is confident Frizell will be able to suit up for the Blues, but was left to lament his banged-up squad.

"We were left with one there, and we unfortunately used five (interchanges) in that period because of the changes," he said.

"But that's footy. It's a bit of a mash unit downstairs to be honest."

The win for the Sharks came on the back of the electric return by Matt Moylan, who had a hand in two tries, and a Bronson Xerri hat-trick of four-pointers.

Moylan's inclusion added plenty of polish in a slick combination with Chad Townsend and Kyle Flanagan that thoroughly outplayed their counterparts.

Sharks coach John Morris expected a couple of errors from Moylan, but was ecstatic with what was arguably a man-of-the-match performance.

"He helps our halves, Chad and Kyle, to be a bit more composed with their shapes in attack. And just that X-factor around him," Morris said.

"The boys get more belief and confidence with Matty Moylan in our side. It was a good comeback."

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