The mind games between the grand final coaches has begun with Des Hasler and Michael Maguire making differing pleas to the referees ahead of Sunday's decider.

The men under the spotlight are Shayne Hayne and Gerard Sutton, with Sutton to referee his first grand final.

Hasler has taken small digs at South Sydney's wrestling antics all week. The Rabbitohs are considered the best 'ground team' in the game, with their big men able to dominate their opponents, which results in a slower play the ball.

It helps the Rabbitohs' defensive line set and allows them to rush their opposition.

Hasler couldn't help himself on Thursday when asked about momentum swings in matches.

"The biggest distinction between Friday and Saturday games that we played in was the number of penalties," Hasler said. "If the referees are willing to get both sides well apart and let the game flow, then those momentum swings are less impactful."

Eighteen penalties were blown in the Bulldogs' win against Penrith, with the Panthers receiving 10. Souths won the penalty count 10-5 in their match against the Roosters.

The Rabbitohs' wrestling technique was thrown into question with a spate of late season charges to George Burgess, Ben Te'o, Issac Luke, Chris McQueen and Kirisome Auva'a for wrestling holds.

While Luke didn't miss a game, his carry over points and his grade one dangerous throw charge on Sonny Bill Williams last week cost him his place in the grand final.

Alex Prates, a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and mixed martial arts fighter, oversees South Sydney's wrestling.

South Sydney coach Maguire said he hoped Sutton and Hayne wouldn't change the way they've controlled matches all year.

"For us, as long as the refs are reffing what they see then I'll be happy with that," Maguire said. "If there are no penalties to be blown, don't blow it. If there are, that's what you've got to do.

"If you're going against various things in the game where rules can be looked at, the refs make their adjudication on what they see, as long as they are doing that I'll be happy.

"The indications of what we've been told, no [they won't change the way they referee]. It's up to the two boys that are out in the middle there."

Meanwhile, Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson's damaged knee is on the improve. Hodkinson battled on through the pain last Saturday, having hurt the injury in Canterbury's second finals game against Manly.

The NSW halfback said while he was feeling more confident in his knee he was unsure if he would hand the kicking duties over to Tim Lafai.

"I'm focusing on preparing well and getting [the knee] 100 per cent," Hodkinson said. "It's been a lot better. Monday and Tuesday last week, I could hardly walk. It'll be 100 per cent by game time.

"I've run earlier and been doing weights whereas last week, I stayed right off until game time. I'm on my feet a lot more, which is nice."