Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says three decades of anticipation won’t weigh down his side ahead of Saturday night’s semi-final against North Queensland – but they do need to stay calm.

The Eels will play their first final in Sydney in eight years at ANZ Stadium as they go in search of the club’s first premiership since 1986.

Arthur is concerned his charges let their emotions get the best of them in last Saturday’s qualifying final loss to Melbourne, after they gave up six second-half penalties to let the lead slip.

And he’s desperate to ensure it won’t happen again.

“I thought our energy and intensity was great but sometimes maybe the emotion and the occasion got the better of us,” Arthur said.

“We lacked a little bit of control at times with our aggression. Really, we paid the price of it.

“We’ve talked about it, we’ve addressed it but now we’ve got to do something about it.”

While his players are acutely aware of what playing in a semi-final means, Arthur hasn’t broached the subject of the club’s history of troubled campaigns or its longing for a drought-breaking title.

“Honestly it’s not a priority for them,” Arthur said.

“No disrespect but the boys don’t even know half of that information.

“The priority is that it’s a do-or-die game – it could be Semi (Radradra)’s last game – so we’ve got to prepare the best we can.”

The Eels are likely to be dealt a blow on the eve of the match, with second-rower Tepa Moeroa only a 50-50 chance at best to pass a concussion test.

If he is ruled out, Peni Terepo will likely return from a hamstring injury to take his place in the 17 after being named on an extended bench.

In better news for the Eels, Arthur has declared hooker Cameron King an almost certain starter despite suffering an arm injury in last week’s loss.