Norths are finals bound for the first time in 34 years after toppling Easts in a top four classic at Shaw Road.
Five-star performances from flankers Alex Watkins and Charlie Cooke paved the way for a 32-26 win on Saturday for the Eagles to lock in second spot for the semi-finals.
Breaking such a drought is immense for the Eagles who had carried it like a ball-and-chain which had grown heavier by the year since 1992.
Halfback Mosiah Christian reflected post-match on what the feelings were like heading into the match.
“It was nerve-wracking coming into this game, knowing it was a do-or-die. So, it was good to
grind out and just get the win in the end against a good Easts team," Christian said.
The home side gained early ascendancy, playing a high-tempo brand of rugby.
It was dominance personified, with three converted tries in the opening 15 minutes that set up the game for the locals.
Christian delivered a lovely deceptive pass to powerful outside centre Duncan Munn to open the Eagles' scoring.
It was soon followed by some steely try-line defence to set up good field position for their second. It was crisp hands from forwards and backs that led agile winger Jaydox Solien to go over.
In-form openside flanker Cook also crossed not long after.
Stoppages started to become frequent after the 20-minute mark which suited Easts' style.
Getting into scrums and mauls has been a strength of theirs all year and set up the Tigers' points.
It was rampaging Peni Ravai forcing his way over from a maul five metres from the line to trim the scoreline back to 21-7.
Norths were persistent with an up-tempo style, moving the big Easts forward pack around the paddock.
Deception and shape from the forwards were all on show from the Eagles as it led to Cook's second try of the half.
On the stroke of halftime, the Tigers' power game proved too brutal as former Reds squad hooker Max Craig dotted the ball down to make it 26-14.
Easts struck first in the second half through inside centre Jake Pappin.
A five-metre scrum laid the platform for a nice interlink play from winger BJ Oates and Pappin. Shifting from the other side of the field, it was Oates delivering an inside ball to direct line running Pappin for the first of two second-half tries for the visitors.
The second half featured an intriguing, grinding battle that resulted in huge defensive moments and long sequences of ball in play.
This was then broken at the 74th minute.
A solo effort from nimble winger Ed Fidow broke the shackles of a tightly-contested half.
Fidow was breaking tackles at will and finished in the corner to set up a grandstand finish as the scorelines read 29-26 after the missed conversion.
The Eagles held their ground and forced an error which led to a late penalty.
Christian knocked over a late three points to put a ribbon on an impressive victory as Norths look ahead to a long-overdue semi-final appearance.
Across town, Brothers beat Wests 30-21 in a tough clash at Sci-Fleet Stadium, premiers Bond University jumped to fourth with a 47-38 win over Sunnybank and University of Queensland kept their slim semi-final hopes alive with a 66-12 thumping of GPS at St Lucia.
Minor premiers Brothers (71) and Norths (54) have semi-final spots locked in.
Easts (49) and Bond (47) hold third and fourth entering a tense final round on Saturday when Wests (47) and UQ (46) can still play leapfrog into the finals depending on results.
Wests head to the Gold Coast to play Bond in a high-stakes clash on Saturday while UQ host Brothers, GPS meet Souths at Yoku Road and Easts are at home to Sunnybank.
