Parramatta earned a semi-final berth by holding off a thrilling Newcastle comeback to edge the match 12-8 on the back of a Bevan French double.
A Semi Radradra drop from the opening hit-up could have been costly but Robbie Rochow repaid the favour. Instead the Eels went the length and a beautiful right side move saw Corey Norman put French over for yet another Nines try and an early 4-0 lead.
Norman only had to get Radradra outside his opposition on the left flank for the 'Semi Trailer' to rampage away for another try. The Eels made it 12-0 at the break when a looping pass from big prop Junior Paulo, of all people, sent French over yet again.
Jaelen Feeney kicked through for Jake Mamo to get the Knights on the board early in the second half then after some end-to-end play Feeney went himself to get the Knights back within a try with two and a half minutes to go. Newcastle regathered the kick-off and Tariq Sims went agonisingly close but lost it in the act of trying to score.
Parra looked to have sealed it by forcing a drop out and Feeney was in everything, including some late drama as the ball came back to him when the Knights batted back the short kick. Looking to get back out of the in goal he was livid when ruled to have been pulled down short and was then sin-binned for tossing the ball away and the Eels easily wound down the clock on the final play to be the first team through to the final four.
Parramatta Eels 12 (French 2, Radradra tries) def. Newcastle Knights 8 (Mamo, Feeney tries).
