Traditional rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons clash in what should be a bruising 2013 Charity Shield encounter at ANZ Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEDT
The Rabbitohs and Dragons have spared no expense in the lead-up to tonight’s charity shield, with each team naming full strength line-ups for the pre-season encounter.
Big signings Ben Te’o and Gerard Beale make their long awaited debut for South Sydney and St George Illawarra respectively, and both will be itching to perform well in their new colours.
Michael Weyman also makes his return from injury for the Dragons tonight and will be hoping he can last 80 minutes against a very physical Rabbitohs pack.
Prediction
The Charity Shield has always been a tightly contested affair and fans should expect another quality match-up between two of the NRL’s great rivals.
Expect a big game from new Dragons captain Ben Creagh, as the NSW Origin forward aims to lead from the front against a very strong Rabbitohs pack.
Te’o should also be looking to impress tonight, given that he has already started his South Sydney career on a rocky note after missing the season’s first trial due to disciplinary reasons.
The battle between Jamie Soward and Adam Reynolds in the halves is also a match-up to look forward for both sets of fans, and players will have a big say as to whether or not their teams will have successful seasons this year.
With early bragging rights on the line, tonight’s contest promises to be a beauty as both teams look to get some early winning form on the board before the real action begins in March.
On paper the Rabbitohs possess the better strike power, and if they play towards their potential, they should have just enough class to beat the Dragons in a tight, physical encounter.
Rabbitohs by six.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks again guys. Always a pleasure. Look forward to your company during season 2013
Elphus
Guest
Thanks Alan from a bunnies fan on Maui.
yewonk
Guest
yeah he baulks any time he is near the ball i dont doubt he has the talent just not the guts.
yewonk
Guest
bunnies were good but still twenty mins missing from the game, they could of had dragons at 50 nil. issac luke is the best dummy half runner with daylight second
Devout Saint
Guest
Yeah, me too. And while we are at it sack Doust and Craig Young too. Soward to too afraid of the physical contact of rugby league.
Maria
Guest
Thnak you Alan for your runnung commentary. Brilliant Bunnies. Just love Inglis, and the rest of them. Happy, Happy.
yewonk
Guest
well dragons are in all sorts, i would sack price and drop soward.
Dominic Johnson
Guest
Thanks Alan for the coverage much appreciated
Alan
Roar Guru
No worries franky french. Enjoy having you on board.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Rabbitohs take out the Charity Shield here with a dominant win over the Dragons tonight. The Dragons threatened to come back in the second half after scoring back to back tries but the Bunnies just had too much strikepower upfront and in the backs and raced away to win 28-10. Inglis was the Rabbitohs best tonight, setting up two tries and looks in fine form ahead of the round one clash with the Roosters. Dragons with plenty to work on, particularly in attack. Thanks for joining us tonight and please join us again when the NRL resumes on March 7! Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 28
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 28
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Rabbitohs now work it out from their own half after scoring here and will play out the clock as Hunt is away now before he produces a terrible pass that goes over the sideline. He would like that pass over again! Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 28
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Goodwin converts well yet again Well that scoreline reflects the game to be honest. Bar a good passage midway through the second half from the Dragons, the Rabbitohs have dominated this encounter and will win well. Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 28
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RABBITOHS - Bucket scores for the Rabbitohs as the Dragons make an error and Bucket picks up the crumbs and races away to score! Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 26
Greg Hannon
Guest
Alan you are a champion.Thanks for going to the trouble to keep me informed here in WA. No radio or tv coverage here. Cheers Mate ....Go the Bunnies !
Alan
Roar Guru
Just under 20,000 have turned up tonight. Good crowd for the Charity Shield. 76' - Rabbitohs back in control here after a solid Dragons fightback midway through the second half. Inglis has set up two tries tonight and is looking sharp for the opening round. Sutton runs the football on the last as Inglis is tackled eventually. Dragons recover possession Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 22
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Goodwin converts from the sideline and its 22-10 now Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 22
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RABBITOHS - Walker scores with his first touch of the ball here after getting a fine ball from Inglis that opened up the Dragons defence. Game over now surely Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Clark with a strong run here and Lowe also makes great metres here. Rabbitohs nearly in here. Sutton with a chip toward the corner but the ball goes over the sideline but the Rabbitohs will get possession back here as the Dragons play at the football Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Everingham intercepts possession and races away before the football is stripped and he wins the penalty for the bunnies who are off the hook Dragons 10 Rabbitohs 16