I now remember listening to Matty Johns on SEN earlier this year. He was talking about how the 06 GF being a passing of the baton from Brisbane to Melbourne in being the leading team of the comp (Comparing us last year to Melbourne in 06).
Something Matty was talking about was that Melbourne/Brisbane played a couple of times early in the season and Melbourne flogged them. They played late in the season and Melbourne won, but Bennett put the brakes on Melbourne's attack. Then the GF, Melbourne got done over.
You saw Bennett at it again this year. Smashed by us earlier in the season. Worked out a way to stifle us even though we ran away with the win later on. Then worked out the magic to beat us in the QF.
Unfortunately for him/Souths and fortunately for us, there was one more game, and we were able to get the job done.