NRL: Souths crush Eels

The Rabbitohs celebebrate a try during the round 25 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Parramatta Eels. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis issued an ominous warning ahead of the NRL finals as he spearheaded a 38-6 win over Parramatta which handed the Eels their first wooden spoon in 40 years.

The Rabbitohs stayed on track for an all-important top four finish with the seven tries to one flogging and Inglis looked refreshed after his recent three-match suspension as he tore the Eels to shreds.

He was a menace every time he touched the ball, scoring two tries and providing the final pass for another three while also delighting the Rabbitohs faithful when he sent former Bunny Chris Sandow flying after an ill-advised shoulder charge.

Little went right for the Eels as they struggled to keep up to the pace, the loss and Penrith's win over Gold Coast on Saturday night confirming they will finish last for the first time since 1972.

After looking a little rusty in his return last week, Inglis showed his intentions early with a series of devastating runs.

He was a spectator as Adam Reynolds provided the pinpoint kick for Matt King to score on six minutes, Reynolds adding an extra two points after he was the victim of a raised forearm which landed Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi on report.

Inglis used brute force to nab his first try on the back of another Moimoi penalty, before the Eels hit back with their only points of the day as the retiring Luke Burt slid over wearing the jumper that bore his image.

But any hope the Eels had of honouring his special day with a win was gone six minutes after the restart when Inglis provided a perfect cut-out pass for Nathan Merritt's first try of the afternoon.

He was the provider again with a basketball pass for Dylan Farrell to go over, Merritt completing his double seven minutes from time before Inglis added one more try assist with a brilliant pass to set up Andrew Everingham in the dying stages.

- AAP