Parramatta lock up top four spot, Semi Radradra scores three tries in 22-16 win over South Sydney

SEMI Radradra scored three tries and Parramatta secured a place in the top four in a 22-16 victory over a gallant South Sydney.

Parramatta's Semi Radradra during the Parramatta v Souths rugby league match at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. Picture: Brett Costello

PARRAMATTA coach Brad Arthur knows his side can beat Melbourne in their own backyard next weekend - but only if officials allow them to ‘’play a bit of football’’.

In front of a sea of blue sand gold at ANZ Stadium, the Eels beat a spirited South Sydney 22-16 to lock up fourth place on the ladder and book a horror road trip against the rampaging Storm.

Arthur knows his team will need to improve dramatically to trouble the minor premiers, but also expressed his September wish of free-flowing footy and no slowing down the ruck.

“Nobody will give us a chance, it’s a free throw at the stumps really,’’ Arthur said.

“If we’re allowed to play a bit of football, we might be a chance.

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“I think tonight they laid all over us and wrestled. The play-the-ball was pretty slow. They did a good job Souths.

“They (Melbourne) are the best at it, they tackle well, work together well and have great systems.

“They won’t beat themselves, so we’ll need to be at our best, you need to complete, but you need to complete with your ball movement and you need to be very good defensively.

“You also need to limit the amount of back-to-back opportunities you give them because if you give them opportunities, they’ll make you pay.’’

This was not one of Parramatta’s better efforts, but they still won, and as Arthur said, ‘’we’re happy with where we finished, and you don’t win 16 games by fluke’’.

Radradra raced over for three tries.

It will be their first finals appearance in eight years and their first top-four berth since 2005.

There will be a truckload of Sydney teams involved in September action, but proud Parra will be the sentimental favourites with a healthy 21.,533 cheering them on in this match.

Souths lost stars Angus Crichton and Sam Burgess before the game because of a virus, and Adam Reynolds a day earlier because of an ankle injury, but still came hard at Parramatta, and showed more enthusiasm for most of the game, similar to the way Newcastle did against them three weeks earlier.

Souths were thumped by 58 points against the Storm last week, and coach Michael Maguire quipped ‘’good luck’’ when asked if the Eels had a hope down south.

It was not the kind of performance Parramatta would have wanted heading into the finals.

“Melbourne are running hot at the moment,’’ said Maguire, who along with Arthur once worked under Craig Bellamy at the Storm.

“I think when you come into a finals series, the people who are involved in the game realise it starts again next week. You start fresh, it’s an 80 minute game, and whatever team turns up wanting it more than the opposition, they can get themselves on the top.

The Rabbitohs fought bravely.

“If Parramatta turn up, they will give themselves a really good chance to roll a team who has shown the way for quite some time.’’

Semi Radradra looms as the Eels’ X Factor after he bagged another hat-trick to go with the four he posted in Brisbane last week.

He is a good enough reason alone for the blue and gold faithful to believe their 31-year title drought will end.

Bevan French and Peni Terepo will be ‘’touch and go’’ to return from injury, Kaysa Pritchard is available for selection, while Beau Scott survived his first hitout from a biceps injury.

PARRAMATTA 22 (S Radradra 3 M Jennings tries M Moses 3 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 16 (R Jennings 2 K Turner tries B Goodwin 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Chris Butler. Crowd: 21,533