Slippery Eel: Tim Mannah pumps the legs. Photo: Getty Images
Parramatta have stunned competition front-runners Manly to keep their finals hopes alive with a remarkable come-from-behind victory on Friday night.
The Eels produced their best 40 minutes of football of the season to overcome a 12-0 half time deficit and claim a memorable 22-12 win that has temporarily moved them inside the top eight.
Peta Hiku goes over in the corner for Manly. Photo: Getty Images
Manly's loss has opened the race for the minor premiership, giving South Sydney the opportunity to jump into top spot with a win against North Queensland on Saturday night.
The Eels couldn't find a way through Manly's rock solid defence in the first half, but in front of a crowd of 17,706 at Pirtek Stadium, the Eels turned it around in the second half to rattle the Sea Eagles and send out a warning sign to opposition teams just three weeks out from the finals.
It was the second time this year controversial refereeing decisions have marred the contest between the Eels and Sea Eagles.
Rough customer: Jamie Lyon collars Ryan Morgan. Photo: Getty Images
Parramatta were left seething following their round three loss at Brookvale Oval, and there was no shortage of drama this time around.
Contentious refereeing decisions from the men on the field and the officials upstairs angered both teams on a night that will leave teams scratching their heads over the interpretation of some of the rules.
But this night was all about Parramatta, who have now jumped the Warriors and Cowboys into equal sixth position with Melbourne. The other three teams have a game in hand this weekend.
While Jarryd Hayne was again hard to contain, Chris Sandow produced one of his best performances in blue and gold to lead the Eels to their 12th win of the season.
Hayne might have expressed his frustration over the refereeing of his team in the lead up to the match, but it did little to deter the referees from blowing an early penalty against his side that led to a Jorge Taufua try.
Manly's ability to withstand an Eels attacking onslaught paved the way for winger Peta Hiku to move within one of Hayne and Semi Radradra on the top tryscorers list, finishing off a backline play to grab his 17th try of the season.
An offside penalty against the Eels on the stroke of half time gifted Manly two points and a 12-0 lead at the break.
The second half didn't begin well for Manly after prop Jason King was put on report for a high shot on Tepai Moeroa that forced the backrower from the field for a concussion test.
It looked like the Eels had taken advantage of the penalty when Sandow stepped past Kieran Foran, only for the video referee to intervene and rule no try because Sandow had received the ball on the inside of the decoy runner David Gower.
The fuming Eels didn't take long to hit back, with Isaac De Gois playing down a narrow blind side to allow Ken Edwards to crash over and reduce the deficit to just six points early in the second half.
Parramatta's next points came courtesy of a Manly kick, with Radradra leaping above the pack and beating three Manly defenders on a 95 metre dash to the tryline.
The incredible momentum swing continued a few minutes later on the back of Sandow's sixth 40-20 of the season, with Will Hopoate scoring from the ensuing set to give Parramatta an 18-12 lead after 57 minutes.
Manly couldn't control the ball and gave up any chance of a comeback, as Vai Toutai crossed out wide for Parramatta to seal the deal in the 74th minute.
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I am totally amazed at our season, even with our injuries and there are huge ones like Peats & Manu we still have fight, that has been missing for what feels like forever, so glad that Parramatta passion is back, ye babbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy