A concussion substitution in just his second game of first grade has helped Central Newcastle move within one win of a NEWRL grand final for 2026.
Butcher Boys rookie Wil Trow, who only debuted in last weekend's last round, was called into action shortly after hooker Harry Reid was taken off for a HIA early in the first half.
Central eventually prevailed 26-18 over South Newcastle in Saturday's gripping qualifying semi at Townson Oval, with doubles to left-side pair Travhon Lemalama and Cahleb Faulkner.
The Butcher Boys will next face minor premiers Maitland in a GF replay from two years ago, the Pickers hosting the major semi on August 22 after having this weekend off.
Souths, who finished second on the competition ladder, instead tackle the winner out of Sunday's elimination semi between The Entrance and Kurri Kurri at EDSACC Oval.
The August 15 game hung in the balance until the final whistle with a mistake from a late Lions attacking raid turning into a runaway try for Central centre Faulkner, who tapped his jersey badge while en route to the clincher at the southern end of the Merewether venue.
Souths opened their account in the 10th minute via winger Maps Uasi, who used pure strength during a one-on-one battle with his opposite number after a short-side scrum play.
An intercept attempt soon after from NEWRL leading try scorer Jacob Afflick could have gone either way, but a dropped ball ultimately denied a Central try via the Jake Maizen flick pass.
The Butcher Boys levelled proceedings 6-all midway through the first stanza with centre Faulkner successfully chasing down a Tyson England grubber kick, winning the race to the footy just inside the dead-ball line at the northern end.
Central winger Travon Lemalama was johnny-on-the-spot to pick up the scraps to help put the visitors up by six around the half-hour mark, Chad O'Donnell's cross-field chip kick eventually bouncing favourably in the in-goal.
Approaching the main break Souths evened up 12-all with Quincy Ross, fresh off the interchange bench, running a line, hitting a hole and stumbling over.
Following the change of ends the Butcher Boys got in front by eight (20-12) with back-to-back efforts by the hour mark, fullback Cameron Anderson and a flying Lemalema both crossing.
Afflick was put on report and sent to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes left, leaving the Lions with 12 men.
Souths rallied via Luke Miller, taking a Ryan Glanville kick before muscling his way to the line and reducing the margin to two as the clock counted down to single figures.
But on the brink of full-time it was a knock-on from the home side while trying to get ahead, that opened the door for Faulkner to scoop up the spoils and race away for a Central success.
The Butcher Boys, third on the overall rankings, missed the semis last season.
