Mitchell Moses has helped Parramatta stave off another finals nightmare as the Eels ended Newcastle's 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 half-time 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 did not 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 grubber kick dribbled along the ground, Penisini was taken out from behind by Enari Tuala in the chase.

The play went up as no try, but the bunker ruled Kalyn Ponga had overrun the ball and Penisini would have got to it first and awarded a penalty try, killing off a Knights comeback.

Earlier, the Eels had shown plenty of signs of nerves.

Gutherson put the opening kick-off out on the full and Newcastle had a 4-0 lead when a Kalyn Ponga cut-out ball hit Tuala on the chest.

Both sides traded tries for Newcastle to lead 10-6 before Moses stood up, spotting a gap and going 40 metres to score.

From the next set, Paulo and Nathan Brown put him on the front foot, claiming a quick play-the-ball before Penisini skipped through and flicked for Blake Ferguson to score.

Moses made his mark once more to start the second half, putting on a lofted cut-out ball for Ferguson to run onto and score.

The 12-point lead ultimately proved enough, ending the Knights season in the first week of the finals for a second straight year and keeping the Eels' campaign alive.

AAP