Cessnock will meet Western Suburbs in a Newcastle Rugby League grand final for the fourth time since 2008 after defeating Central at John Oval on Sunday.
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The Goannas hit the front early and stayed there, eventually running out 34-8 victors in the preliminary final.
Cessnock have now triumphed in four games on the trot, the last round and three semis, with all of them must-win encounters.
Former NRL player Paul Carter, who was best man at a wedding in Bali last weekend, crossed twice for the visitors while Harrison O'Brien, Blake Andrews, Connor Kirkwood and Joe Woodbury also nabbed one each.
Scott Briggs, who was outstanding for the Goannas, kicked four out of five conversions while Dan Metcalf added two points at the end.
Central scored unconverted tries to make it 12-4 almost 30 minutes in and 18-8 shortly after the break.
Cessnock led 18-4 at half-time.
