The Grammy-winning coach left a place on his team vacant after deciding none of his three remaining artists had done enough to advance, as ‘The Voice Australia’ locked in its Quarter Finalists.

Richard Marx delivered one of the more unexpected moments in The Voice Australia history during the Knockouts, refusing to send any of his three remaining artists through to the Quarter Finals.

The American singer-songwriter made the call following performances from Cherry Green, Saem Millward and Dicko, telling the trio that none had risen to the standard he believed was required for the next stage of the Seven competition.

“I don’t feel like any of you rose to the occasion,” Marx said.

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but I’m not going to take any of you.”

The decision meant Marx voluntarily entered the Quarter Finals with one fewer contestant than his fellow coaches Melanie C, Ronan Keating and Kate Miller-Heidke.

The move caught host Sonia Kruger and the other coaches by surprise, with Keating revealing he had never encountered anything similar during his long association with the format.

“I’ve done The Voice for 15 years around the world and I’ve never seen this before,” Keating said.

The dramatic decision capped two nights of Knockouts in which the remaining singers competed head-to-head in groups of three or four. Each artist performed individually, with only one contestant from each group guaranteed to progress.

The coaches were also given a single save, allowing them to rescue an eliminated contestant from another team and bring them into their own Quarter Final lineup.

While Marx’s decision provided the Knockouts’ biggest shock, 12-year-old Leyla Sabo emerged as one of the competition’s major contenders.

Sabo performed Sienna Spiro’s “You Stole the Show,” drawing a particularly emphatic response from Melanie C.

“I’m floored,” she said. “I think we’ve just seen the winner.”

Other performances singled out during the round included Tommy Novak taking on Celine Dion’s “All By Myself,” Cleo Paladino performing Ariana Grande’s “God Is a Woman,” Phoebe Rose with Lady A’s “Need You Now,” Yung Milla performing Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” and Charlotte June tackling R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.”

Coaches Battle Over Their Saves

The Knockouts also produced two battles between the coaches as they attempted to recruit eliminated contestants.

Taylor Beadle-Williams failed to secure a direct Quarter Final berth with Team Kate, but her performance of Lizzo’s “Juice” prompted Marx, Keating and Melanie C to offer their saves. Beadle-Williams ultimately chose to join Team Melanie C.

Vocal group The 60Four faced a similar decision after both Marx and Keating attempted to save them. The group chose Keating and will now compete as part of Team Ronan.

Miller-Heidke used her save to bring 15-year-old Daisha Auda across from Team Ronan, while Marx rescued Queensland teen rock band Wave Raiders from Team Kate.

Marx’s refusal to select a winner from his final Knockout means he heads into the next stage with three artists: Tika Centinch, Tommy Novak and Wave Raiders.

Melanie C takes four contestants into the Quarter Finals, with Cleo Paladino, Jack Hughes, Taylor Beadle-Williams and Victoria Knight representing her team.

Keating’s final four are Jamie Koul, Leyla Sabo, Phoebe Rose and The 60Four, while Miller-Heidke will be represented by Bertie Anderson, Charlotte June, Daisha Auda and Yung Milla.

The competition now moves into the Quarter Finals, where the remaining 15 artists will compete for places in the Semi Finals.

The Voice Australia Quarter Finals begin Sunday at 7 p.m. on Seven and 7plus.