A Semi Radradra hat-trick has saved Parramatta's blushes as they spluttered into the NRL finals with a 22-16 win over a depleted South Sydney on Friday night.
The Eels claimed fourth spot with the win however were far from convincing against a Rabbitohs side missing Sam Burgess (illness), Adam Reynolds (ankle), Angus Crichton (illness) and Aaron Gray (hip).
It wasn't until Radradra sailed over the top of schoolboy Campbell Graham in the 76th minute that Brad Arthur's side sealed the result in front of a strong crowd of 21,533 at ANZ Stadium.
While they finished the regular season with a victory, it will give Arthur plenty of food for thought ahead of their week one finals meeting with minor premiers Melbourne next week.
The Eels completed 26 of 34 sets, missed 28 tackles and lost the penalty county 9-5.
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The Rabbitohs began to get on top around the 20-minute mark but tries to Radradra either side of halftime gave the Eels an 18-10 lead.
When Souths winger Robert Jennings got his second - albeit on the end of a questionable pass - the deficit was just two with 25 minutes remaining.
However the Eels did enough to finish over the top of the young Rabbitohs with Radradra's class coming to the fore as he crossed for his seventh try in the space of two weeks.
The Rabbitohs, who were forced into a host of changes including shifting hooker Damien Cook to fullback, were brave but were simply out-classed as their disappointing season came to a close.
After the Jennings brothers Michael and Robert traded tries in the opening 15 minutes, the Rabbitohs started to take the ascendancy.
On the back of the Eels committing 16 missed tackles in the first 40 minutes, the Rabbitohs went ahead when Kyle Turner charged over under the posts for a soft four-pointer.
Arthur would have been disappointed at halftime even after Radradra crossed in the corner and Mitchell Moses converted from the sideline to give his side a 12-10 lead.
It was the Eels' second win in a row and ensure fifth-placed Cronulla will not be able to catch them ahead of the premiers' final-round game against Newcastle.
Arthur began the mind games ahead of their finals clash with the Storm, saying they hoped the referees policed the ruck and gave the game a chance to flow.
"We're coming up against Melbourne, we're looking forward to the challenge," Arthur said.
"No one's going to give us a chance so it's a free throw at the stumps really.
"If we're allowed to play a little bit of football, we might be a chance."
Souths coach Michael was proud of how his side responded after their 64-6 flogging to Melbourne last week.
"It was a big turnaround, it was hard to take last week," Maguire said.
"I thought with the number of changes that happened over the last 24 hours, I was really pleased with how the boys put a strong performance out there."
