Cessnock have put themselves within one win of a Newcastle Rugby League grand final after finishing fifth on the competition ladder.
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The Goannas snuck into the play-offs after upsetting Souths at Townson Oval a fortnight ago and struck again on Saturday by knocking out the defending premiers with a 32-28 win at home at Cessnock Sportsground.
The hosts led 22-6 at half-time having crossed four times in a quarter of an hour between the 12th and 27th minutes.
Souths replied with three tries either side of the break to reduce the margin to four.
Cessnock laid on another two four pointers, including Scott Briggs' fourth conversion, to go ahead by 14 with a little over 15 minutes to play.
Back-to-back tries put Souths within striking distance, but it wasn't enough and the Lions now slip out of the 2019 title race.
The Goannas progress to meet Central Newcastle after they were smashed by minor premiers Wests in the major semi-final at Harker Oval.
Western Suburbs cruised into the grand final with 50-10 win.
The Rosellas scored nine tries in reaching the half-century but the Butcher Boys, who were previously unbeaten in their last seven starts, crossed first in each half.
Wests, chasing their first major premiership since 2014, have earned this weekend off and will eventually meet the winner of Sunday's preliminary final between Central and Cessnock at St John Oval.
Pat Mata'utia and Chad O'Donnell both landed doubles for the Rosellas while Luke Walsh kicked six conversions.
It was 22-4 at half-time.
Luke Harragon and Mitch Williams are injury concerns for the Butcher Boys.
The grand final will be held at McDonald Jones Stadium on September 22.
Wests first grade team will be joined on grand final day by their reserve and open grade teams.
Wests first grade team will be joined on grand final day by their reserve and open grade teams.
Wests 38 defeated Cessnock 10 in the reserve grade major semi-final and Cessnock will play South Newcastle in next week's preliminary final
The Rosellas beat Kurri Kurri 8-0 to move through to the grand final and Kurri Kurri will play Maitland in next week's open grade preliminary final.
Maitland defeated the Lions 22-16 in open grade.
Lakes United 22 defeated Western Suburbs 12 in the under-19s. Wests will play Cessnock in the preliminary final. The Goannas progressed from the minor semi-final with a 28-14 win over South Newcastle.
In Blues Tag, Central Newcastle has booked the first spot in the grand final defeating Western Suburbs 18-0.
Wests will meet South Newcastle in the preliminary final after Souths accounted for Lakes United 6-4.
South Newcastle had a 24-6 win against Kurri Kurri in the reserve grade minor final.
The preliminary finals are on Sunday, September 15, at St John Oval
