A stunning Jarryd Hayne-inspired second-half comeback has enabled the Parramatta Eels to turn a 20-point deficit into a memorable 24-20 victory over Manly in sweltering conditions at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.
The Sea Eagles, searching for a sixth-consecutive victory over the Eels, put their 61 percent first half possession share to good use, racing in three unanswered tries to take a commanding 14-0 lead into the break.
They scored immediately after half-time to extend their advantage out to 20 points, but no lead is safe in this competition with a bloke called Hayne in the opposition side.
Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi scored in the 53rd minute to get his team on the board before the brilliant Hayne played a vital a role in Parramatta's final three tries to help the hosts over the line for their first win of the season.
Despite giving up a big lead for the second week in row, the injury-ravaged, but gallant Sea Eagles' could be considered somewhat unlucky with the Eels' second-last try to Joel Reddy coming off what appeared to be a forward pass.
The Sea Eagles shocked the 15,602 pro-Eels crowd early when young debutant Trent Hodkinson scored with just his second touch of the game, running on to a deft Steve Matai ball in the third minute of play.
Jamie Lyon missed the mid-range conversion attempt to leave Manly in front 4-0.
The Eels' less-than-ideal start continued in the 15th minute when prop Justin Poore was placed on report for a swinging arm on opposite Josh Perry as the latter was falling to ground.
Just moments later, a simple ball spread from the scrum enabled hulking Manly winger Tony Williams to stroll over for a converted try, pushing the visitors' advantage out to 10 points.
Errors and penalties continued to rob the Eels of valuable possession and an energetic Manly continued to make them pay, crossing for its third try in the 28th minute courtesy of a deft Kieran Foran pass to send Lyon over.
The Eels' first genuine shot at points in the opening stanza came in the shadows half-time when interchange prop Fuifui Moimoi crossed the line, but referee Shayne Hayne rightly ruled a double movement, leaving last year's grand finalists scoreless at the break.
A fortunate rebound off the foot of Eels interchange forward Tim Mannah from a Hodkinson grubber allowed Sea Eagles forward Matt Cross to claim the visitors' fourth try just after the break.
Moimoi legitimately crossed the line in the 53rd minute to finally open the Eels' account when he charged through several Manly defenders from a penalty tap to plant the ball down.
After a pretty innocuous opening hour, Hayne finally set Parramatta Stadium alight when he fielded a Glenn Stewart grubber in-goal then stepped the defence to race 55m up-field.
As the defence converged, the Eels' superstar handed the ball off to five-eighth Daniel Mortimer who sent centre Timana Tahu dashing down the left touchline to complete a stunning Parramatta try - the first for Tahu since returning to the NRL from rugby union.
Winger Luke Burt, celebrating his 200th first-grade game, landed the conversion to see the Eels trailing 12-20.
More Hayne magic in the 73rd minute when he produced a chip kick for Jeff Robson to collect, resulting in a questionable Kris Keating pass out to Reddy for a try that would edge the Eels to within