But it was no laughing matter in the end for the Canberra Raiders, with Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson putting a dagger through their hearts.

While the aforementioned internationals changed the course of the game when it all seemed lost for the Canberra Raiders, it all proved for nought.

Gutherson's field goal in the second half of golden point sealed a 25-24 Eels' victory on Saturday night.

The Raiders had trailed 24-12 with less than five minutes remaining against the high-flying Eels. At the Eels' Parramatta fortress.

But a fight-back inspired by England internationals George Williams and Elliott Whitehead, each in tandem with Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, produced two moments of magic to send it to extra time.

But Gutherson struck a cruel blow after the gutsy fightback.

The Eels go back to the top of the NRL ladder after the Raiders' second loss in a row.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said they didn't deserve to even send it to extra-time in the first place.

He was left ruing a 15-8 error count that tipped possession in Parramatta's favour - especially in the opening 20 minutes when the home side dominated.

"We didn't deserve to be in that position. It's amazing that they got back to that scoreline," Stuart said.

"I'll never debate that they never give in, I've said that for years.

"We keep making it very, very hard for our own selves. We've got no one to blame but ourselves.

"Until we fix it, we're not going to get a little bit of luck ... you get it by putting yourself in the right position by playing good football.

"We've got individuals who aren't playing well and we've got to start playing a little smarter."

Stuart tinkered with his troublesome right edge, switching Nick Cotric and Jordan Rapana to opposite wings in a bid to sure up their defence.

Both teams suffered big losses. The Raiders lock Corey Horsburgh (foot) limped off after 33 minutes breathing fire following a clash with Ryan Matterson.

Horsburgh was having a go at anyone and everyone after he was unhappy with the Eel.

But the Eels also lost their chief playmaker, Mitchell Moses, who suffered a calf injury to leave Parramatta having to throw Brad Takairangi into the halves.

It was only on game day that Parramatta Stadium was given the all clear to even host the game, following the complaints of the Sydney Roosters on Friday night - losing Victor Radley and Sam Verrills to ACL injuries.

But despite the all clear, the teams weren't allowed to warm-up on the pitch before the game to give the warn turf a rest.

Stuart said he wanted to get a bit more talk on the right edge, which was why Rapana was switched over.

Like Horsburgh, Rapana had also taken some angry pills and was put on report for a high shot on Parramatta prop Daniel Alvaro.

"[The switch was] for having more of a voice, a little bit more talk on that edge," Stuart said.

"George is more of a quiet kid ... I needed some more talk and Nick's used to playing on the left with Jarrod. So that's all that was.

"It wasn't going to be permanent it was just a matter of getting it right."

Gutherson played a role in Matterson finishing off a big overlap to open the scoring, but the Eels didn't capitalise on their 62 per cent domination of possession in the opening 20.

Raiders prop Josh Papalii waltzed over to level it and then the Raiders got the rub of the green to go ahead.

Canberra co-captain Jarrod Croker threw a clear forward pass, but the Bunker couldn't rule on it - allowing a brilliant bit of play after that to stand.

Cotric produced a delightful banana kick on the outside of his right boot to Jack Wighton - who put Whitehead over.

A nice ball from Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney put Ray Stone over for his maiden try, helped by a Whitehead misread - but also a Rapana penalty in the lead-up.

There was another contentious call, this time going the Eels' way with Croker again involved.

He was ruled to have played at a kick when he simply turned his back on it.

The Eels scored off the next set, with Shaun Lane producing a brilliant offload for Michael Jennings to fly onto.

Gutherson appeared to have sealed it with his cutout pass for winger Maika Sivo, before the Raiders responded with two tries in two minutes.

A Williams chip kick found Nicholl-Klokstad and then a Whitehead show-and-go ended up with the Kiwi international crashing over to level it.

But Gutherson had the last laugh as his field goal sailed over.

AT A GLANCE

PARRAMATTA EELS 25 (Ryan Matterson, Ray Stone, Michael Jennings, Maika Sivo tries; Clint Gutherson 3, Mitchell Moses goals; Gutherson field goal) bt CANBERRA RAIDERS 24 (Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2, Josh Papalii, Elliott Whitehead tries; Jarrod Croker 4 goals) at Parramatta Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 560.