Rabbitohs retain Charity Shield

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have retained the coveted Charity Shield following a solid victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium to the tune of 18-14.

There were promising signs from the Rabbitohs for the season, with impressive performances from the likes of Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Cameron McInnes among a host of others.

After the Rabbitohs managed to force a line drop-out in the opening five minutes of play, it was John Sutton who would ultimately capitalise by barging over for the first try of the match - some brilliant lead-up work from Cody Walker and Cameron McInnes laying the platform. Bryson Goodwin converted to give Souths an early 6-0 lead.

The six-point advantage would be short-lived though, when Dragons winger Jason Nightingale showed tremendous athleticism to keep the ball in play after an in-goal kick that looked sure to go dead was kept in play by the Kiwi. Kurt Mann was on hand to pick up the scraps and score out wide to make it 6-4.

Once the Rabbitohs got the ball back, a towering John Sutton kick on the end of a brilliant set of six was dropped cold by Peter Mata'utia on his own goal-line, gifting possession to the men in Red and Green. But the home-side was unable to capitalise, opting instead to be adventurous by kicking on the second tackle.

With the Dragons on the back-pedal late in the first half, skipper Ben Creagh found himself having a close look at the ANZ Stadium turf after putting his head in the wrong position attempting a tackle on Cameron McInnes - Creagh left the field as a result.

Poor ball-control would hamper both teams' advances up-field as the off-season rust continued to have an effect on the match, but flashes of brilliance would ultimately keep Members and supporters cheering.

Exciting breaks by Cody Walker and Damien Cook almost resulted in tries to the Rabbitohs, with both players showing their wares for the first time in the Rabbitohs jumper at ANZ Stadium.

Saints looked certain to score seven minutes from half-time when Euan Aitken carried three Rabbitohs defenders over the try-line. But the Video Referee would rule against the four-pointer on the grounds of a loss of control of the ball. The teams would go to the sheds locked at 6-4.

A twelve minute arm-wrestle following the break saw both teams trade opportunities in what looked from the outset to be a higher quality clash.

Siliva Havili picked up a try to take the lead for the Dragons though with Benji Marshall converting to make it 10-6. But the Rabbitohs would hit back immediately.

The injection of Kirisome Auva'a into the match saw the centre finish off a back-line movement to score out wide. Damien Cook continued his impressive first foray for the Club by converting from the touchline to re-take the lead at 12-10.

New recruit Michael Oldfield then showed his wares at fullback when he managed to get out of the in-goal despite a well-weighted kick by the Dragons that looked certain to catch the former Sea Eagle in-goal.

A strong combo from Walker and Hunt on their own side of half-way saw the Rabbitohs lay the platform for a brilliant try to Ed Murphy - Walker making a long break to set the try up before converting from the touch-line to make it 18-10.

With five minutes in the match remaining, Aitken got a four-pointer after having his first attempt disallowed - the centre crossing millimetres in from touch to make the final score 18-14.

Match Details

South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 St. George Illawarra Dragons 14
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 13421
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 St. George Illawarra Dragons 4

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (18)
Tries: John Sutton, Kirisome Auva'a, Ed Murphy
Conversions: Bryson Goodwin (1/1), Damien Cook (1/1), Cody Walker (1/1)

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (14)
Tries: Kurt Mann, Siliva Havili, Euan Aitken
Conversions: Benji Marshall (1/2), Drew Hutchison (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Ahhhh the Charity Shield. Welcome back to our coverage of rugby league in 2016 - it's the annual clash of these two historic NRL clubs - the Dragons and Rabbitohs are set to clash in a few minutes time. The Dragons haven't had the Shield in their hands for several years but are favourites to get the bikkies today with a few omissions from the Rabbitohs lineup.

Luke Keary is the omitted player from the Rabbitohs lineup which sees a reshuffle putting Sutton in the halves, with Brown and Gosiewski into the starting forward pack. We can only show 21 players in our teams tab but rest assured the Bunnies have a THIRTY player rotation. The Dragons similarly have 26 players to pick from.

4: We have action here in the Charity Shield, both teams moving it up the park. First significant moment here with the Dragons forced into a dropout after Mann collects it just prior to the dead ball line off a South Sydney grubber.

5: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by John Sutton. Kick to come.
Sutton powers over close to the line to bag the opener!

5: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Goodwin converts from besides the posts.

10: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Kurt Mann. Kick to come.
Sensational! Marshall grubbers through, Nightingale scoops it back like a magician and Mann arrives to claim the four pointer!

10: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall unsuccessful.
Benji's attempt goes across the face. Dragons trail by two.

12: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Peter Mata'utia makes an unforced error.
A huge bomb forces an error from Peter Mata'utia, gifting Souths a scrum just 10m from the Dragons' line.

15: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Will Matthews makes an unforced error.
Souths give up possession early through Sutton before the Dragons opt for an error of their own through Matthews, putting the Bunnies right back on the attack.

17: Souths spread the ball but a poorly directed pass means Nightingale plucks out an intercept and the Saints are off the hook.

21: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
John Sutton makes an unforced error.
Sutton with a rubbish attempt to play the ball right on the Dragons line. So many errors so far, we've only reported a couple of them. It's not great - although it is the first proper game these sides have played.

24: Souths earn a penalty and they're back on the attack.

26: Now a dropout forced by the Bunnies. Red and green in the ascendency at the moment.

26: Short time off there with Ben Creagh down on the canvas. He's injured, clutching at his neck and is walked from the field by his trainer. Play on, South Sydney on the attack.

27: Dokonivalu with a poor attempt at playing the ball for Souths right on the line. Dragons scrum.

28: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Drew Hutchison makes an unforced error.
Drop-a-thon continues just as the Saints were looking likely. Young Hutchison can't hold a pass.

29: Cody Walker with a mammoth break before he's wrapped up 15m out in the left corner - they spread it to the other side on the next play and Hymel Hunt bottles it by not using his support runner, and is tackled just short of the line. Handover to Saints.

31: Damien Cook dummies and runs! He's almost there in the corner - Mann comes across and wrestles him into touch! Great play and even better defence! It's a 20m restart for the Red V.

32: Saints march on up the park on the back of a couple of penalties and now have a good chance to put themselves in front.

33: UPSTAIRS TIME. Euan Aitken is over the line but we need to verify if he's scored or not. On-field call is try. Replays suggest a bit of a bobble before the line.

33: NO TRY. Error from Aitken. Souths scrum 10m out.

36: Lafai loses it inside his own half. Hutchison tries to streak away but Badger wants a scrum.

40: That's all for the first 40. South Sydney 6-4!

44: We are back underway at ANZ with the Rabbitohs up by two. Dragons inside Souths' territory at the moment.

53: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Siliva Havili. Kick to come.
Dragons in, and in front! Havili crashes over beside the posts!

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
Marshall has no trouble close to the posts.

55: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Kirisome Auva'a. Kick to come.
The Rabbitohs' back goes over out wide after beating a few defenders.

56: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Damien Cook successful.
Cook takes the kicking reins and boy does he! Great conversion from out wide.

67: End to end with no real breakthrough coming just yet.

68: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Ed Murphy. Kick to come.
Just as we say that, Cody Walker and Hymel Hunt hook up to get Souths into position then a play later Murphy gets over the line!

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Cody Walker successful.
Great sideline conversion from Walker. Souths 3/3 from three different kickers!

75: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Euan Aitken. Kick to come.
Dragons are in to provide a nice little grandstand finish. Numbers to the right and Milne goes in almost untouched.

76: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Drew Hutchison unsuccessful.
Hutchison from the touchline to bring it in to two... strikes it... but it is waved away.

78: Time winding down - Souths on the attack at the moment, looking to close this one out. WAIT - Dragons penalty for an incorrect play the ball!

79: Dragons on the second tackle are inside the Rabbitohs' half!

79: Another penalty inside the final minute. Dragons have a whole set with a minute to go, 20m out.

79: ERROR McCrone and game over. South Sydney will win this one.