Gagai and Graham cross twice as Souths chase down 14-point deficit
Dane Gagai and Campbell Graham scored doubles as South Sydney clinched a brilliant come-from-behind victory and top spot on the NRL ladder – at least for a few hours.
Souths looked headed for their second shock defeat in a row when they trailed Parramatta 20-6 with 25 minutes remaining.
Jarryd Hayne was back to his best for Parramatta, scoring a try and charging 80m for what he thought was a second, only to be denied by the bunker.
But Souths racked up three tries in nine minutes midway through the second half.
The 15,542 fans who made the trek west for the belated 300-game celebrations for John Sutton were relieved rather ecstatic.
Another milestone man, Adam Reynolds, celebrated 150 games, but it was one of his worst performances in recent years.
Souths were forced to do plenty of defending in the opening exchanges and it took its toll. The Eels crossed twice and grew in confidence, no doubt lifted by the sight of Hayne hitting gaps and in full flight.
When Michael Jennings crashed over for a try just before half-time, the Eels kicked out to a well-deserved 18-6 lead.
Cody Walker came within an inch of being awarded a try, and when the Eels stretched their lead to 20-6 at the other end of the field in the 55th minute, frustrations set in.
But Sam Burgess jolted the ball from Peni Terepo in the first tackle from the kick-off, and Souths soon went on the rampage. It was a big moment in the game by their skipper.
Rob Jennings made it 17 tries in as many games, and Graham and Gagai got two each on the other side of the field.
Corey Norman was given ten minutes in the bin late for laying on Angus Crichton.
The loss leaves Parramatta anchored at the bottom of the ladder with five rounds remaining.
The Eels were tackled 35 times inside the Bunnies red zone in the first half but just once in the second.