Bennett thaws out after cold shoulder treatment

Wayne Bennett is back to his usual self after giving his players the silent treatment following last week's comprehensive 39-24 loss to the Sharks.

The uncharacteristic lack of intent by the South Sydney players had Bennett hopping mad. He apparently gave players the cold shoulder in the dressing rooms post-game.

But second-rower Ethan Lowe thinks the deep freeze has thawed.

"We had a little bit of a chat this morning – he's back," Lowe told NRL.com after Tuesday's training session at Redfern Oval.

"Look it's a new week and the best thing about rugby league is you can change things around in a week. We've moved on from that loss and really zeroing in on Melbourne now," he said of Sunday's clash at Gosford.

"We've brushed the Sharks game. We didn't perform the way we wanted to and we're definitely not happy about it.

"We just weren't up to standard. We've addressed that and we're working hard this week to get it right."

But there were consequences to the Sharks loss, and the wins by Canberra and the Roosters. The Rabbitohs went from second on the NRL ladder to fourth.

Bennett's men are still assured of playing finals football for a sixth year out of the past eight.

However, Lowe said the finals have not been broached in team meetings.

"We're not worried about that. It's still five or six weeks away. We're focused on each week and trying to get that little bit better each week," he said.

"They way we played against the Sharks is not going to win us a finals series.

"We've not spoken as a team about finals – has not been mentioned. We're looking at getting things right against the top side in the comp.

"It's a top of the table clash and Melbourne is always a big challenge."

At least Lowe is up for that test. He made his Origin debut for Queensland in game three this year, played a full game and took over the goal-kicking from the injured Kalyn Ponga.

He is also a premiership-winner with the 2015 Cowboys and played in the 2017 grand final losing to Storm.

"So I've faced that kind of pressure before – played full 80 minutes before, kicked goals before, played in some pretty big games," he said.

"Obviously not to the intensity of Origin. So what Origin gives you is that little more faith in your ability and self-belief.

"I've always believed I could perform at the that level so to go out there and do that just instils more confidence."