Mitch Moses has helped Parramatta stave off another finals nightmare as the Eels ended Newcastle’s NRL season with a controversial 28-20 victory in Rockhampton.
Often criticised for his poor run of results in big games, Moses produced telling moments either side of halftime to put the Eels on top before he held his nerve late.
The elimination final win sets up a grudge match with Penrith on Saturday night, marking the first finals meeting between the arch rivals in 21 years.
But it didn’t come easy.
The Eels could be without Junior Paulo, Marata Niukore and Waqa Blake, with all three put on report for dangerous tackles.
They looked to have the match won at 22-10 with 30 minutes to play before the Knights hit back with two tries in six minutes to draw within two points.
Both came off the back of crucial plays, the first from an unsuccessful Will Smith charge down and the second after the bunker spotted a Paulo high shot.
And with a terrible finals record of one win from six attempts since 2017 and after a late-season fade this year, the Eels would have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
But unlike previous seasons, their defence held firm before late drama helped them finish the job with a Will Penisini penalty try.
After an ugly Clint Gutherson grubberkick dribbled along the ground, Penisini was taken out from behind by Enarti Tuala in the chase.
The play went up as no try, but the bunker ruled Kalyn Ponga had overran the ball and Penisini would have got to it first and awarded a penalty try, and killing off a Knights comeback.
Earlier, the Eels had shown plenty of signs of nerves.
