The Rebels are back on track, kicking eight points clear atop the Australian Conference with a brilliant 46-14 bonus point over the Sharks at AAMI Park.
It wasn't a Rebels performance which produced breathtaking tries until very late in the piece but it was one that showed they can tough out flat stretches before finding their best to shoot clear - a trait all champion sides must possess.
The work of Anaru Rangi, Adam Coleman and Colby Faingaa up front set the platform for Melbourne's backs and while it took an hour before things really clicked, Billy Meakes starred in his first start of the season.
Melbourne flew out of the gates with far more intent than they displayed in their loss to the Waratahs, Meakes making the most of his touch of the ball by splitting the line in the first phase of the match - a break that would set the tone for a superb first half for the former Force star.
Meakes busted three tackles, made two line breaks and racked up 47 metres from eight first half runs alone, his ball playing and kicking in play also complementing the work of Will Genia and Jack Debreczeni in the halves.
As Meakes flourished the Melbourne attack followed suit but it was a rolling maul which would produce the first points of the match - Anaru Rangi falling over the line in the 11th minute.
A yellow card to Curwin Bosch followed six minutes later, the Sharks fullback deliberately knocking the ball down and denying the Rebels a certain try in the process.
But just as Melbourne threatened to blow the game open, mistakes creeped into their game and the Sharks worked their way back into the match.
While Melbourne dominated the run of play and controlled 65 percent of first half possession it was Lwazi Mvovo that crossed next, some brilliant passing from Robert Du Preez setting up the 28th minute try.
The Rebels hit right back but again it was left to the rolling maul to throw the final punch, Amanaki Mafi scoring in the 38th minute to send Melbourne into the sheds up 15-7.
It felt as though they should have led by more and after Jermaine Ainsley bombed a try by declining to pass in the first half Sefa Naivalu bombed one by deciding to pass 13 minutes into the second half, a sublime Jack Maddocks break and pinpoint pass putting the Fijian flyer away in the lead up.
Will Genia did what Naivalu couldn't three minutes later, though, spotting a gap in the Sharks defence on their line and splitting it to open up a 25-7 lead.
Meakes was then rewarded for his brilliant night with 17 minutes to play, reaching out to put the finishing touch on a try sparked by a determined run from Coleman.
That would be the final nail in the Sharks' coffin, a Ross Haylett-Petty try from a Fereti Saaga break rounding out a night which put Melbourne back on track in their quest for the Australian Conference crown.
RESULT
Rebels 46
Tries: Rangi, Mafi, Genia, Meakes, R Haylett-Petty, Saaga
Cons: Hodge, Debreczeni 4
Pens: Hodge, Debreczeni
Sharks 14
Tries: Mvovo, Louw
Cons: Du Preez, Bosch
Pens:
