Ernie Merrick has made it clear that even a player of Carlos Hernandez's ilk is not above the law at the Melbourne Victory.

The Costa Rican midfielder reacted with petulance when he was substituted just after the hour-mark of Wednesday night's 3-0 win over North Queensland Fury, charging past the interchange bench and straight into the dressing room.

Merrick revealed that he had a chat with Hernandez regarding his behavior, telling the midfield maestro that what he did is not accepted in this culture.

"It was petulant and I've spoken to him about it," Merrick said yesterday. "It's a good thing that players don't want to come off, but Carlos has hardly trained the past two weeks and we wanted to put on some pace up front because their defence was getting light.

"I've been dealing with Central American and South American players for the past five years.

"They have a different culture and what is acceptable in their country is not always acceptable in Australia.

"He understands that and I've spoken to him. Carlos blows up for five minutes and then he's fine, but it was behaviour that is not acceptable."