Souths have come from behind to defeat Wests and move within one win of a Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League decider.
The Lions, who last reached the grand final in 2014 and last claimed the title in 2009, trailed by one against the Rosellas in Sunday’s minor semi at Newcastle International Hockey Centre before replying in either half to secure a 2-1 victory.
Cameron Thornton and Seb Rollings were the goal scorers in the 11th and 36th minutes respectively while Simon Massey missed a penalty in between.
In the second minute Ben Boyle opened the account for Wests, who are now eliminated after making the club’s first finals appearance since 2004.
Souths progress to this weekend’s preliminary final against traditional rivals Norths, who went down 5-0 to Gosford on the Central Coast in Sunday’s major semi. Liam Alexander bagged a double for Gosford.
