NRL: Parramatta Eels beat Melbourne Storm

Parramatta Eels made the most of some big-name Melbourne Storm absentees, edging a close-fought contest 26-22 at AAMI Park on Monday.

Following a week in which the Eels saw CEO Scott Seward step down amid continued salary cap dramas, Brad Arthur's men battled from 12-0 down against a Melbourne side missing several key players.

With Cooper Cronk injured and Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Will Chambers on State of Origin duty, the Eels came out on top despite losing Nathan Peats and Anthony Watmough to injuries - the latter on his 300th NRL appearance.

The victory moves Parramatta off the foot of the ladder, as they recovered from the dismal second-half collapse in last week's defeat to North Queensland Cowboys.

Tohu Harris got the Storm off to an ideal start with a six-point advantage before Ben Hampton extended the advantage.

On his first senior outing of 2015, the ball was worked back to Hampton following a Harris near-miss, with the half-back crossing over right of the sticks.

Harris again converted before things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Reece Robinson went off with a facial knock.

However, the visitors got on the board prior to the half-hour when Semi Radradra glided over following quick hands and a Chris Sandow pass.

Sandow's kick saw Radrada touch down again soon after, although a missed conversion attempt kept the Eels behind at the break.

On his 100th NRL outing, Corey Norman challenged Cameron Munster in the air to claim a Sandow kick early in the second half and put the Eels in front for the first time but, when Sandow fumbled in his in-goal area, Blake Green levelled matters.

Hunt restored Melbourne's lead following a loose Norman pass but again the Eels came back as the ball was worked out to Ryan Morgan - Sandow hitting the post with his attempted conversion.

Trailing by two, Tepai Moeroa had the final say as he powered over with three minutes remaining although the Eels were made to survive a late scare as the video referee denied Opeti Fonua a try due to a knock-on in the last minute.