NRL: Eels stun Dragons to end Manly's season

Daniel Mortimer crosses the line to score for the Eels against the Dragons. Photo / Getty Images

Parramatta spectacularly ended premier Manly's season and remain in the hunt for the NRL premiership after slaying St George Illawarra 25-12 at WIN Jubilee Ovaltonight.

The dynamic Eels reversed a 37-0 flogging at the hands of the Dragons just nine days ago, to become the second eighth-placed team under the McIntyre finals system to run down the minor premiers in as many years.

A Luke Burt field goal in the dying minutes put the game beyond a converted try (19-12) and then Dally M medallist Jarryd Hayne scored superb a try to seal an entertaining victory in front of 18,174 fans.

The Eels, boosted by the return of Nathan Hindmarsh and Eric Grothe, ran in four tries to two in a superb reversal of form to keep their season alive.

The Eels next face Gold Coast on Friday night, while the Dragons must travel to Brisbane to play the Broncos.

The Eels led 12-8 at half-time and the Dragons looked to have evened up the score through a Matt Cooper try but it was ruled to be on the end of a knocked forward pass from Ben Creagh after he'd touched the ball down.

An untimely Eels error gave the Dragons another shot at four points but enigmatic winger Grothe swung the game with one piece of brilliant play.

Grothe intercepted a bullet pass from Jamie Soward intended for a tryline bound Brett Morris and bolted the length of the field, touching down under the post in the 62nd minute to give the Eels a 10 point lead after Burt's conversion.

Just when the game looked like it might be out of the Dragons reach, Morris touched down in the corner with nine minutes left on the clock to make it a six-point ball game.

But Burt then kicked a field goal and Hayne touched down soon after to secure the win.

- AAP