Latrell Mitchell helped South Sydney avoid a banana skin against Canterbury as the Rabbitohs wrapped up a 36-28 win to strengthen their grip on seventh spot on the NRL table.
In just his third game back from a hamstring injury, Mitchell showed signs that he had returned to his best as he carried the Rabbitohs to their fifth win in six games.
The Rabbitohs fullback finished the evening's play at Accor Stadium with three try-assists and a try of his own, along with four goals from seven attempts.
Winger Alex Johnston was also impressive, grabbing his 12th career hat-trick against a Canterbury side that had to play the last 15 minutes without Josh Addo-Carr, who succumbed to a glute injury.
Canterbury were leading 22-16 with a quarter of the game to go and the ease at which interim coach Mick Potter has their attack firing gives credence to the view that he should be handed the reins on a permanent basis.
But just when the Bulldogs looked to be heading towards victory, a rampaging run by Mitchell on his way to his sole try of the night turned the game in the Rabbitohs' favour.
Souths, who were without Damien Cook and Cameron Murray after their exploits in State of Origin, began brightly when Lachlan Ilias regathered his own grubberkick to score the opener.
Former Rabbitohs centre Braidon Burns crossed for the Dogs' first of the night before Declan Casey notched his maiden NRL try to give Canterbury the upper hand.
Canterbury's surge seemed to spark the Bunnies out of their slumber with Keaon Koloamatangi putting Cody Walker over with a deft one-handed offload before Mitchell sent Johnston in for a 16-10 half-time lead. .
Joe Stimson and fullback Jake Averillo, who scored his sixth try in five games since shifting to the No.1 role under Potter, both scored in the second half to give Canterbury hope that they could pull off an upset.
Mitchell had other ideas, receiving a Kodi Nikorima offload from 40 metres out and breezing past three Bulldogs defenders to score.
Paul Vaughan crashed over to put Canterbury 28-22 up with 10 minutes left on clock but from there the Bunnies flicked a switch to wrap up the win.
Mitchell sent Tevita Tatola and Johnston over the whitewash before the winger added his third.
