Holden Cup minor premiers, the Newcastle Knights, have been eliminated in straight sets after going down to the New Zealand Warriors 23-16 on Saturday afternoon.
Two try hero Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and captain Sam Lisone led from the front against the likes of Newcastle's 2014 NRL debutants Joe Tapine, Sione Mata'utia and Jake Mamo with two tries off scrums proving monumental in the grand scheme of the game.
Having snuck into the top eight off the back of a last round draw with the Penrith Panthers, they will now shape up against the Eels in this weekend's preliminary final.
The Warriors have gifted themselves the opportunity of qualifying for a second-straight grand final.
Joining the Warriors and Eels in the final four are the Brisbane Broncos after they dismantled the Wests Tigers to the noise of a 42-18 belting.
Despite the Tigers holding an 18-8 lead at halftime, the late scratching of key duo Mitchell Moses and Manaia Cherrington caught up with them and were consequently sent packing, with Brisbane scoring 34 unanswered points to book their place in the preliminary finals.
Two tries each to Paul Byrnes and Tom Opacic were instrumental while the Nikorima brothers Kodi and Jayden combined for a double of four-pointers themselves.
Brisbane will now take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in the first grand final qualifier of the weekend this Friday night.
Holden Cup Finals Week 3 fixtures
Friday, September 26, 5:15pm: St George Illawarra Dragons v Brisbane Broncos
Saturday, September 27, 5:15pm: Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors
