Coach Jason Ryles was “very confident” Iongi had not suffered a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury, but the issue may still be season-ending. With Josh Addo-Carr deputising at fullback and hooker Ryley Smith in the centres, five-eighth Volkman’s attacking nous threatened to help the Eels pass the standing record for biggest NRL comeback (26 points). When Jordan Samrani soared over makeshift winger Jye Gray and slammed Volkman’s kick down, the Eels were within four points. After forcing a dropout in the final minutes, Parramatta looked set to go for the killer blow, but the returning Tallis Duncan regathered the Rabbitohs’ short restart. In the same set, veteran Cody Walker kicked a 40/20 to put Souths out of trouble and on the attack for the final exchanges of a calamitous game.