South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds says the Rabbitohs never doubted their credentials as NRL premiers despite a mini slump that saw the Rabbitohs lose three out of four games to slip off the top of the ladder.
Michael Maguire's side returned to winning ways in fine fashion with a 22-10 win over a red-hot Manly side that went into the game on the back of six straight wins on Friday.
Reynolds was the main architect of the Sea Eagles' downfall, inspiring a 10-minute purple patch that saw the Rabbitohs turn the game on its head having trailed 10-6 and been on the back foot for the early exchanges of the second half.
The halfback found touch from a goal-line dropout to earn his side a scrum and then won a repeat set with a fine kick that led to Nathan Merritt scoring his 150th NRL try.
"We knew that if we kept working hard then we would turn things around," Reynolds told AAP.
"We played well against Melbourne last week in the second half even though we lost, but we knew we had to do the same against Manly tonight if we had any chance of winning.
"We've been playing well for most of this season and feel we are good enough to be where we are on the ladder."
Reynolds said he was pleased to play a big role in getting his side back into the game and that his kick for touch was a calculated gamble.
"I saw that Brett Stewart was back a bit so I thought I would give it a shot," he said.
"There is always a danger of those going out on the full, but I was lucky enough to catch it right and it worked out for us."
The 24-year-old was also the man closest to Greg Inglis when the superstar fullback went down clutching his knee as the pair tried in vain to prevent Jorge Taufua from crossing for Manly in the first half.
Reynolds looked on helplessly as Inglis writhed in agony after crashing the knee that he damaged in the State of Origin decider on the turf - in his first game back in action.
"He looked in a fair bit of pain and like everyone else I was a bit concerned," he said.
"But he got up and it shows what a great player he is that he played a massive role in helping us win the game.
"It was like a finals game out there and the win will certainly help our confidence, but we know there is a long way to go and some very hard games to come."
