After Stuart said in a television interview he found it hard to be a proud participant in rugby league after a series of off-field incidents across the game in the summer, Bennett took aim at prominent league figures who had spoken publicly on player behaviour.

"I can't believe some of the silly statements they've all made," Bennett said at the time.

"They earn a living from this game. They've been a part of it for so long, they've seen so many things, we've been through a tough period, we've had them before, we've managed them and moved on.

"I think there have been a few drama queens out there, to be honest with you."

Stuart responded: "Wayne Bennett's irrelevant to me, so are comments he makes."

The coaching showdown is an appetising sub-plot of Friday night's preliminary final between Souths and the Raiders at GIO Stadium, although Bennett denied there was a longstanding issue between the pair.

"Not to my knowledge there isn't," Bennett said on Sunday. "I haven't spoken to him for a couple of years, to be honest with you."

Bennett also made the point that he did not call out Stuart by name when he lined up the "drama queens" earlier this year.

"Did I say his name? I didn't say his name," Bennett said. "So that's where that's at."

Bennett and Stuart have had a rivalry which dates back more than a decade. They first locked horns when Stuart replaced Bennett as coach of the Kangaroos in 2005.

One year later, Bennett was set to take Stuart's job at Sydney Roosters but backed out of the deal after details were made public before he told the Broncos he was departing.

The battle of the coaches aside, Bennett is confident he can fix his team's left edge defence after it leaked points aplenty during their controversial win against Manly at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

The Rabbitohs will be sweating on the fitness of Alex Johnston - who was heavily concussed after a nasty head clash with Adam Doeuihi - but the way Sea Eagles centre Moses Suli was able to repeatedly beat Dane Gagai was also alarming.

There may be very few players in the NRL who could have stopped Suli on Friday, such was the devastating nature of almost every touch he had, but Bennett must find a solution before his team arrives in Canberra to face the Raiders in front of what is expected to be a sold-out venue.

"I don't think we need to make any changes there," Bennett said. "We'll fix it up before Friday. We'll be right."

Johnston isn't the only Souths player who will have to pass concussion protocol before taking his place in the team which faces the Raiders.

Sam Burgess was clearly dazed after copping a knock to the head late in the second half and forced off for a head injury assessment, too. He has been cleared of any serious injury.

Doeuihi passed a head injury assessment on Friday after clashing heads with Johnston and is expected to play.

James Roberts is expected to play despite being forced to go to hospital after suffering a severe cut on his hand.

NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL

September 27: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm. Tickets on sale Monday (members) and Tuesday (general public).