NRL finals AS IT HAPPENED: Parramatta through to preliminary finals with huge win

Thanks for following along - you can read our wrap of tonight's game here, while Brad Arthur launched a stunning tirade afterward about the 'agendas' of potential detractors of the club.

We'll be back tomorrow for the Sharks and the Bunnies!

The Eels win through to go to Townsville and take on the Cowboys - who have a formidable record up there.

It's not the same place, but Parramatta did play North Queensland in Darwin earlier this year and were blown off the park, 35-4. That was way back in April, though.

"Already warm conditions — 30 degrees up there (on Friday)," Cam Smith said.

"It'll be humid ... if they're any chance to go to a grand final it's this year and they have to reproduce an effort like this tonight."

"They're a great side," Moses said of the Cowboys on Nine's post-game coverage.

"You've got to play for the full 80 minutes. They showed that last week (against the Sharks).

"We're going to have to be at our best there, especially playing up there behind their home crowd.

"It's a good test for us, but we're ready for it."

What a performance - Niukore gets his second on the buzzer after an incredible bit of build-up play, and that's 40 for the Eels

"They've proved or reinstated themselves as one of the heavyweights of the competition — a team that will be vying for the premiership," Cameron Smith said on commentary.

Parramatta move on to play the Cowboys in Townsville.

And that's why I thought they might get him off the field! He is whacked by Jack Wighton and stays down.

They come running in from everywhere, to be honest there didn't look a whole lot wrong with that but it's a penalty - Parramatta opt to take the two to milk some time off the clock.

Another try and this is just the icing on the cake - Marata Niukore goes over out wide and it's part time in Parramatta!

Interestingly, Mitchell Moses has come back on. I know he passed his HIA but you'd think with the result beyond doubt they might put their star man in cotton wool.

A small sour note for the Eels - Tom Opacic off with a hamstring issue.

If he can't go next week, you'd assume that Waqa Blake would move into the centres and former Raider Bailey Simonsson would take that now-vacant wing spot.

That is glorious footy from Parramatta - Canberra nearly score up the other end but Jack Wighton is ruled offside by the Bunker (and then knocked the ball on anyway), and the Eels promptly go up the other end and score.

Mitch Moses gets a try for himself and shows some nice speed to beat Xavier Savage to the corner before slotting the conversion himself.

The Eels have repeatedly struggled to get past week two of the finals, but they can taste that preliminary finals berth now!

Is there any way back for Canberra?

They've got 40 minutes to find out.

A big cut-out ball to the left, and Maika Sivo eventually gets over the line...or does he?

It's a long wait before the Bunker gets involved, but that ball comes loose from the big winger before he grounds it. A huge let-off for Canberra!