Playing in the final round just days after news of their axing from Super Rugby Pacific, Melbourne have been unable to match the Fijian Drua, falling 40-19 in Lautoka.
Before flying out to Fiji, the Rebels were given the shattering news by Rugby Australia the financially stricken club would be wound up after 14 seasons.
Seventh heading into the contest, Melbourne already had their first ever spot in the competition's quarter-finals locked down, but were keen to end a five-game losing streak.
The Drua had plenty to play for in front of a vocal home crowd at Churchill Park, with a win securing a place in the eight-team play-offs and ending any chance for the Western Force and Crusaders.
Collecting a bonus point with the victory, the Drua leap-frogged the Rebels into seventh spot, with their last-eight rivals to be decided later in the round.
The Rebels travelled to Fiji without star playmaker Carter Gordon, who missed a second successive game due to concussion symptoms, with Jake Strachan starting at 10.
They could be without skipper Rob Leota next week after the No.8 was forced off after 54 minutes following an ugly knock, while he also had to undergo a HIA in the first half.
However the Victorian product looked in good shape in a post-match interview where he vowed the Rebels would rise in next Saturday's play-off.
"I'm really proud," Leota told Stan Sport.
"Coming over to Fiji is obviously a tough trip but we wanted to do a job and unfortunately we had a loss, but I'm just proud with the stuff going on off-field that we showed up.
"We'll be better next week going into finals"
The sides were level 19-19 at halftime, with Melbourne's tries coming from lock Josh Canham and Andrew Kellaway, who was a stand-out for the Australian side.
Test prop Taniela Tupou, playing his 100th Super match, also turned in a big shift for the Rebels.
Melbourne were awarded a penalty try when an offside Frank Lomani kicked the ball out of the maul as the Rebels worked it over the tryline.
The Drua halfback received a yellow card for his troubles.
But the Fijians hit back with three tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half to blow their lead out by 21 points
Exciting young winger Waqa Nalaga bagged his second as the Drua took control of the match to the delight of the home crowd.
They were denied a late try by lock Mesake Vocevoce with the TMO ruling a knock-on in the lead-up, but the near miss did little to quell the celebrations.
"It was a do-or-die game and the boys gave their all," said Drua captain Meli Derenalagi.
"It's a second year in the quarters for us but we talked about wanting to go further, and our preparations for next week start now."
