Craig Wing wants South Sydney playmaker John Sutton, the driving force behind the team's revival, to keep taking on the line in a bid to get the Rabbitohs into the NRL finals.

Just two weeks ago, Sutton was hooked for the first time in his NRL career during Souths' shocker against Wests Tigers in Sydney.

On Friday night the 24-year-old was at his blistering best, setting up five of the Rabbitohs' eight tries as he toyed with Brisbane's defence in their 44-12 victory at a packed Suncorp Stadium.

"He killed it," said NSW utility Wing, who backed up from Wednesday's brutal State of Origin encounter.

"He was putting blokes through holes. The most pleasing thing is that he's running the ball and taking the line on.

"He's one of the biggest boys in the team. He's got tremendous skill and a great off-load.

"I think he was trying to ball-play a bit too much earlier on this season but the last two games he's really made an effort to take the line on.

"The team has fed off the back of that."

Early this year Sutton was being mentioned as a NSW Origin candidate but his form dipped and the Bunnies slumped to a five-match losing streak, broken with a 36-12 victory over Penrith on July 10 when the 190-centimetre pivot dominated.

Asked whether the humiliating 54-20 loss to the Tigers a week before was a wake-up call for Sutton, Wing replied: "That was probably a wake-up call for the whole team.

"We did a bit of soul-searching after that game.

"The boys felt really embarrassed, especially when we came off the field and our own fans were booing us. That's not the most pleasant feeling."

A candid Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor later told journalists "my career as a coach was staring me in the face" following the humbling loss.

The formations of a smile will have begun to appear on that face in the wake of big wins over Penrith and a weakened Broncos.

Souths are now within striking distance of the top eight as they prepare for the local derby against Sydney Roosters, whom they hammered 52-12 in round one, at ANZ Stadium on Monday week.

"I haven't been with the team for the last 10 days (due to Origin duties) but the feeling I get is that the attitude from the players has improved," said Wing.

"Each individual has been taking responsibility for his own game.

"I remember meeting up with all the guys on Thursday and everyone was up for the (Broncos) game.

"That's the kind of attitude that we need for the rest of the year."

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