NRL preliminary finals snapshot

* Quote of the round: "I will say publicly, they undermined me in their conversations with Souths. They didn't do a little job on me, they did the best job they could." - Wayne Bennett doing what Wayne Bennett does best, putting the focus on his ugly exit from Brisbane rather than South Sydney's team in grand final week.

* Stat that matters: Melbourne's 10-6 loss to Penrith made them first team since Canterbury in 2002 to lose only three games in a regular season and not make the grand final, and even that only came when the Bulldogs were stripped of their points for salary cap offences. Before that, it's Canberra in 1995.

* Magic moment: Benji Marshall celebrating his return to the grand final after South Sydney easily disposed of Many 36-16. It's been 16 years since his last trip to a decider.

* Talking point: Has the NRL got it right on stopping play for concussions. Manly prop Sean Keppie staggered around for two plays before the game was stopped early in their loss to South Sydney. Christian Welch also had play stopped for him in Melbourne's loss to Penrith, but remained on field for several minutes before being taken from the field and not returning.

* Man of the round: Cody Walker was involved in everything as Adam Reynolds battled through a groin injury in the Rabbitohs win. Walker scored two first-half tries to blow Manly out of the water and controlled the game with his kicking.

* Casualty ward: Rabbitohs - Adam Reynolds (groin); Sea Eagles - Sean Keppie (concussion); Panthers - James Fisher-Harris (knee), Tevita Pangai (knee); Storm - Christian Welch (concussion), Brandon Smith (concussion/shoulder).

* Judiciary watch: Sea Eagles - Josh Aloiai (dangerous throw); Storm - Harry Grant (crusher)

* Under pressure: Penrith's medical team. After getting Nathan Cleary's shoulder to the grand final they must now find a way to get Tevita Pangai and James Fisher-Harris back on the park after a resolute defensive effort against the Storm. Penrith are also hoping to have Moses Leota back from a calf strain.

Australian Associated Press