After being given a "reality check" by coach Wayne Bennett, South Sydney are determined to prove their premiership credentials against NRL heavyweights Melbourne on Friday.
The Rabbitohs were blown away by ladder-leading Canterbury, crashing 32-0, and next face another huge task against the second-ranked Storm in Melbourne in an Anzac Day clash.
The Storm also endured a round-seven horror show against the Dolphins, giving up a 14-point lead to concede 40 straight points before signing for a 42-22 loss.
Souths centre Campbell Graham said Bennett had provided some feedback and clarity on their form.
"Wayne (Bennett) was honest, as he always is, and he gave us a reality check that we needed," 25-year-old Graham said.
"Our last couple of performances have probably been slipping, so he's cleared a few things up for us and narrowed our focus into how we can get back to playing our good footy.
"Probably the thing that's going to light us up the most is to go out there and show that we're a better team than what we produced on Friday."
Graham, who missed all of 2024 with a serious sternum injury, said the Rabbitohs were their own worst enemies against the Bulldogs.
They made 14 errors, conceded 10 penalties and missed 38 tackles.
"There were plenty of learnings that we took out of that game," Graham said on Monday.
"We didn't even give ourselves a chance, to be honest, in that game with the amount of dropped ball and ill discipline, and defensively I thought there's things that we could tidy up.
"We've looked at all those things today, and we will definitely be focusing on them going into the game this Friday."
The Rabbitohs will welcome back halfback Jayden Sullivan from suspension, with Bennett yet to make a call on his halves combination for the AAMI Park match.
Superstar Latrell Mitchell started at five-eighth against the Bulldogs, but was shifted to the centres after failing to make an impact.
Souths have only won seven of 41 clashes with Melbourne, but Graham said he was excited by the trip south and the chance to play in his first Anzac Day match.
He also hoped to put his hand up for NSW State of Origin honours after being named 18th man in 2023, but he had to drop out because of his sternum injury.
With some NSW candidates out injured, Graham, who started on the wing against the Bulldogs, believed he could do the job.
"I think I could, I'd love to, but in saying that I'm just focused on getting back out and playing consistent footy here first,'' he said.
"It's been a pretty rocky start for me to start this year, so I don't want to be thinking too much about a Blues jersey right now.
"But, of course, if the opportunity ever came, I would grab it with both hands."
