The Eels came from behind to down the Dragons 26-20 in a thrilling match at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
After trailing by 10 with just over 20 minutes remaining, the Eels came to life late on as tries by Sean Russell, Junior Paulo and Bryce Cartwright completed a terrific comeback.
Cartwright scored twice in his 50th match for the Eels, while NRL debutant Arthur Miller Stephen marked his first match with a memorable try.
Clint Gutherson made several key plays for Parramatta, including a game-changing, try-saving effort which kickstarted the Eels' comeback.
Eel no. 838 Arthur Miller Stephen hit the ground running in his NRL debut, scoring with one of his first touches of the football.
The Eels shifted the ball to the left, where Bailey Simonsson found his winger with a basketball pass. Miller Stephen took it cleanly and planted the ball down for a terrific try on debut.
Miller Stephen scores on debut!
The Eels’ strong start spurred a second try to another milestone man.
Bryce Cartwright, celebrating his 50th NRL game as an Eel, jumped out of dummy half and punished the Dragons’ backpedalling defence with a weaving run to the try line.
Cartwright celebrates in style
Mitchell Moses converted from out wide to put the Eels ahead 10-0 after 12 minutes.
The Eels had little joy for thereafter, as the Dragons dominated the remainder of the first half.
Mikaele Ravalawa had a field day on the Dragons’ right wing, scoring a first-half hat-trick to put the visitors ahead 16-10 at the break.
A long-range effort early in the second half saw the winger score a fourth try, extending the Dragons’ lead to 10 points.
The Dragons appeared to have added another through Talatau Amone, but Clint Gutherson forced a knock-on in the lead-up.
Gutherson’s try-saving effort proved to be game-changing, as the Blue & Gold embarked on a comeback trail.
The Eels marched upfield and kickstarted their comeback as a shift to the left sent Sean Russell over the line.
Russell kickstarts the comeback
Five minutes later, the Eels were on level terms as two forwards combined for a superb try. Ryan Matterson threw a ferocious face ball to Junior Paulo, who stormed onto the pass and charged over the try line.
Forwards link as Paulo scores a beauty
The Eels then completed their comeback as the Dragons failed to clean up a kick to the in-goal and Bryce Cartwright picked up the scraps for the match-winning try, sending CommBank Stadium into raptures.
Carty gets the party started!
The Eels gave the Dragons no opportunity to respond, holding on for an important two points ahead of their final three games of the regular season against the Broncos, Roosters and Panthers.
