Rugby league legend Cameron Smith has ruled out the Penrith Panthers of making the NRL grand final after falling to the other side of the playoffs draw and a potential preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm.

The Panthers went down to South Sydney 16-10 on the weekend and still have to beat Parramatta in Week Two.

“I think it’s Melbourne and the Rabbitohs,” Smith said on SEN.

“I think it’s pretty clear cut now after the loss on the weekend, Penrith will have to play their absolute best game of the season to reach a Grand Final. Firstly, they’ve got to get through Parramatta… then they’ll have to go through Melbourne who were red hot on Friday night.

“Then the Rabbits… they looked so composed… they played a solid style of football that works so well in finals.

“I don’t see either of the Roosters or Manly beating the Rabbitohs after what I saw on the weekend.”