The Rabbitohs did enough to hold on for a 28-20 win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, just a week after coming from behind to eclipse fourth-placed Manly in another epic battle.
Having lost three of four going into the Sea Eagles clash - a run which coincided with Greg Inglis being out with a knee injury - the Rabbitohs are once again looking as title threats.
Of course the fitness of Inglis - who hobbled through the second half against the Bulldogs - will be key to any deep finals run, but halfback Adam Reynolds admits there has been a spring in the players' step the last two weeks.
"We always knew we weren't playing our best football, we knew we needed to get back to playing quality footy," Reynolds said.
"Training during those weeks really stepped up, the players have got on board.
"There's no better way to challenge yourself than to play the top teams in the comp.
"Credit to the boys they stood up again tonight and got the job done."
Coach Michael Maguire added:
"I think it's really good practice for us, they're big games obviously playing against teams like Canterbury and Manly.
"They're great games for us ... it gives us a good look at what we need to work on."
Not too much judging on what the Rabbitohs produced against the Bulldogs, their first half a sublime exhibition of controlled football.
The Bulldogs were poor with their handling during the opening 40 minutes, and while they stayed close all night, weren't able to reel in the Bunnies.
But with the likes of Ben Barba, Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood all likely to be back on deck by the time the two teams potentially clash again in the finals, it was clear coach Des Hasler was keen on another crack.
"We took the field pretty confident in what we could do - probably disappointed we weren't able to execute that," Hasler said.
"I'd like to play them again."
Hasler does face a anxious wait with both Frank Pritchard and Josh Reynolds put on report for shoulder charges.
While Reynolds did not appear to make contact with Jason Clark's head, Pritchard could in a spot of bother with his shoulder landing flash on Bryson Goodwin's chin.
Pritchard also has form, having been suspended for one match last year after a shoulder charge which cleaned up Penrith winger David Simmons.
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