Bennett 'blessed' to be part of a win he rates as one of greatest ever

Wayne Bennett labelled South Sydney's record-breaking win as one of the best performances he's been a part of in his 33 seasons of first-grade coaching.

The Rabbitohs ran in nine tries, including six in the first half, to set up a 40-point victory in a clinical performance driven by key men Latrell Mitchell, Damien Cook and Cody Walker.

Bennett's return from a 14-day quarantine had the experienced mentor even smiling in the coaches box as early as half-time when the team produced the club's biggest-ever lead after 40 minutes at 38-0.

After concerns earlier in the season around the side's ability to hold the ball, a 92 per cent completion rate in the contest enabled Bennett's men to pile on the points.

"It was a great game of football from a South Sydney point of view … wonderful football," Bennett said.

"I was thinking about that at one stage, particularly against a quality team. Certainly in the modern era it's one of the better starts I can think of.

"It's a great game we've got when it's played that way – the skill level and all the stuff we see out there.

"You just feel very lucky to be a part of it and I feel that tonight. I've spent my life in it, it's been the love of my life and I feel blessed to see a football team play like that.

"We've got some highly skilled players and they were just on tonight … on because they were holding the football.

"All our key players were on and nobody tried to take centre stage. They were supporting each other and going with their calls and sticking with them."

The monster win pushes the Rabbitohs to sixth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder with a clash against Parramatta scheduled for round 16.

Yet to win against a top-six side, Bennett said the Rabbitohs attack was finally showing signs of clicking into gear.

"It takes time, I always tried to work out why we play 24 rounds a year," Bennett said.

"You play it because you need to get the practice and timing. It's a good time for it to be coming together now.

"We can't go in [against Parramatta] with better form. Our problem is just getting players back on the field."

Bennett added Alex Johnston was okay after he was ruled out for the remainder of the game after being on the receiving end of a high shot.

Dane Gagai is also a chance to return from a hamstring issue.