John Sutton believes Greg Inglis’ inspirational display against Parramatta on Sunday was just the tonic South Sydney needed as the club prepares for a first NRL finals appearance in five years.

Inglis was at his blistering best as the Eels were put to the sword 38-6 – scoring two tries and setting up three more – to end a run of two successive defeats.

A win over Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Friday will guarantee Souths a top-four finish and Sutton admitted he was left in awe by Inglis’ performance at ANZ Stadium.

“We needed the win yesterday and it was nice to get it and also put in a performance as well,” Sutton said.

“GI is freakish. The stuff he does in training we see every day, but he brought that out onto the field yesterday. It was awesome.

Former Souths halfback Chris Sandow felt the full force of Inglis’ size and power at ANZ Stadium when he bounced off the giant fullback as his attempt at a shoulder charge failed spectacularly.

Sutton admitted he raised a smile at his former halves partner’s plight when he was sent crashing to the ground, but said it demonstrated how difficult it is to stop Inglis in full flight.

“It’s so hard to shut him down. He’s so big and strong and hopefully he does it again this week for us,” he said.

“I had a little chuckle there, but Chrissy always has a go and puts his body on the line.

“He got straight back up to his feet to his credit, but Greg was unstoppable yesterday.”

Inglis’ former Maroons teammate Michael Crocker has spent most of his career on the same side as the 24-year-old, having also played with him at Melbourne.

And the former Test prop admitted he’s relieved that he does not have to face him as Souths go into the business end of the season.

“He’s so pretty to watch when he’s at his best like that,” Crocker said.

“He’s so hard to tackle. I’m lucky that I think I’ve only had to tackle him once in my career on a football field.

“When he catches the ball on the full and he has 20 or 30 metres to wind up it is a very daunting prospect having to tackle him.

“He’s pretty priceless to us and the fans.”