Penrith forward Frank Pritchard reportedly refused to return to the field as Melbourne dismantled his side 40-6 at Penrith Stadium on Monday night.
With the Storm leading 20-0, the second half opened with extraordinary claims that the disillusioned Pritchard was unwilling to take any further part in the game after being replaced due to his ongoing shoulder injury.
It's understood the Kiwi international reluctantly returned to the bench after stern words from a senior player and a high-ranking official.
He did not take part in the second half.
It may signal the end of Penrith's association with the restless Pritchard, who has made it clear he wants out of the club.
The drama overshadowed another clinical performance from Melbourne, who is now within touching distance of its third straight minor premiership.
With two rounds remaining, the Storm heads the field on 36 points from Manly and Cronulla (both 34).
Melbourne killed off the contest early against a disorganised Panthers unit, crossing for three tries inside the first 16 minutes.
Winger Steve Turner got the visitors rolling with a try, set-up by an inch-perfect Cooper Cronk cut-out ball, after 11 minutes.
Shortly after, Cronk kicked across field for Billy Slater to leap high and shovel the ball back to Greg Inglis to score his first of three tries for the night.
When Anthony Quinn, profiting from some slick passing from Inglis and Matt Geyer, scored Storm's third try, the premiers were up 14-0.
Penrith's nightmare continued eight minutes before the interval, Inglis winning the race to the ball after Cameron Smith's crossfield kick rebounded off Michael Gordon's head.
Smith potted the conversion for a 20-0 lead.
Nathan Smith gave Penrith a reason to believe when he surged past Cronk and Israel Folau to score the home side's only try six minutes after the break.
Folau repaid the favour five minutes later, swatting away defenders before setting up Turner's double with a sublime inside ball.
Smith was again off target with the conversion but the game was good as dead at 24-6.
Smith powered his way over from a penalty tap just after the hour, converting his own try to send the Storm further ahead 30-6.
Melbourne iced the win with late tries to Jeff Lima and Inglis.
Penrith 6
Tries: Smith
Goals: Gordon
Melbourne 40
Tries: Inglis 3, Turner 2, Quinn, Smith, Lima
Goals: Smith 4
Sportal Player of the Year
3 – Cameron Smith (Storm)
2 – Greg Inglis (Storm)
1 – Cooper Cronk (Storm)