Parramatta veteran Luke Burt fears the Eels could be on the wrong end of an ugly scoreline against NRL pacesetters St George Illawarra next Friday unless they smarten their act up following Saturday's shock home loss to struggling Cronulla.

The Eels blew a golden opportunity to record their fifth straight win and move into the top four.

Leading 18-10 at halftime, Parramatta were outscored 12-0 after the break.

Goalkicking winger Burt recognised the Eels wouldn't be able to take any liberties against a Dragons side that rarely loses once they hit the front.

"It's a matter of us just being committed and starting the game well against the Dragons, because they are a great front-running side and if they get the lead, they are very hard to get back," Burt told AAP.

"At the moment they are the best team in the comp. They are top of the table for a reason.

"We need to smarten up and get our game in order or it could be an ugly scoreline."

Inspirational Parramatta captain Nathan Hindmarsh remains in doubt for Friday's WIN Stadium clash with a sternum injury.

While team officials reported the second-rower was in less pain on Sunday, he will not know the full extent of his injury until Monday at the earliest.

Centre Joel Reddy suffered a hamstring strain on Saturday, but his injury isn't considered serious.

Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson doesn't expect centre Timana Tahu to be able to back up next Friday, two days after playing Origin.

"His ankle hasn't really been ready in two days, so we think he's highly unlikely," Anderson said.

He will adopt a wait and see attitude regarding the fitness of his star fullback Jarryd Hayne.

The Eels coach felt a mid-table position was an accurate reflection of his team's form.

"We've had good games, we've had very poor games, we are not consistent enough to be anywhere near the top of the table, hence the erratic performances that we put in mean that we sitting dead in the middle," Anderson said.

He was especially disappointed with the Eels' attitude against the Sharks and said the five-day turnaround from last Monday's win over Manly was no excuse.

"We scrapped and battled away from home for the last four games and we just played like we thought we should've got the two points without competing," Anderson said.

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