Charity Shield: Souths win 36-24

As a bunnies fan I’m too used to getting the rough end of the pineapple to notice anymore ;)

Don’t forget Chilli that the Refs allowed the Mergers Easy passage out of their own end every single time while the Rabbitohs had to do the tough stuff and ruck it out. The dragons 9 Penalties coming out of their end in the first half, I would say that 4 were deserved, the other 5 were piddling penalties. I also saw at least 5 times the Dragons did exactly the same thing but NO Penalty to Souths. Graeme Annesley was on 2SM Talkin Sport today, he did raise that exact issue.

Damien Cook made McInnes look like a reserve grader.

I suggest you get some glasses, Adam Bagnall, I hear Spec Savers have a 2 for one deal, you really need it. We also had 1/2 our spine out GI, Reynolds, G Burgess and Adam Doueihi. Comprehensive is the word, Kogarah Oval in Rd 2, let us see who wins that one!

No, not getting excited at all as I know the rabbitohs will be Top 4, what I love is to hear all the excuses of those Pathetic mergers fans, you all sold your souls for 11m pieces of silver in 1998!

Sold your soul mate.

Actually McInnes was the equal top creative hooker last year with 9 try assists (however Hodgson who was equal played far fewer games) and McInnes supplied more line break assists than any other hooker. McInnes is probably the most well rounded 9 in the comp, along with Hodgson and Smith. The only aspect i believe Damien Cook beats him at is running the ball, which he cant do if you stop the Burgess bros, hence why he was ineffective in the finals. The stats are easily looked up on NRL.com if you're interested.

A three try difference (with a couple disallowed) is pretty comprehensive for the NRL. And I'm not sure you can write off Souths trys as gifted by penalties and yet praise the Saints when 18 of St Georges points came in a period where the penalties were heavily in their favour. At the end of the day I'm not sure it's worth getting too worked up over a trial

Not sure what game you were watching, it certainly wasn’t comprehensive. Saints gifted most of the Rabbitohs tries with silly penalties, or Lomax slipping over. When the Dragons finally got decent field position they looked quite dangerous and Souths struggled. Good to see Burgess is still a cheap shot merchant and why I’ll never rate him highly

That was more than a trial so I think it’s safe to say we can take a bit away from this one. Souths look effortless in attack and a big year ahead especially with cook finding his range with the boot to take some heat off Reyno. Can’t wait for the dummy kick n run! The biggest query often played out about Souths is their bench strength. I was stoked to see Kyle Turner tackling hard and taking the line on.. this kid is in for a big year for us abd may even push Sammy into the front row rotation at some stage of the season. Add Ethan Lowe’s experience and we have a great rotation there. Junior looks fitter and is starting to really develop as a starting front rower, young Sirro looked strong and there was some good energy from the likes of Kennedy and Amone. Dragons looked great in attack but really missed the hustle of Vaughan and DeBelin who just pile the pressure on in Defence and on attack inside 20 and I think the reality of no Leeson Ah Mau injecting into the match may have been felt here.. he was very very good for them in 2018. Still give them some field position and they are as dangerous as anyone in attack but that Defence was lacking badly so combinations are just not working. Cooky wasn’t even stretching his legs so they only really had to cover the edges. Be a brave person to tip dragons against Souths at any stage this year barring injury.

Actually Widdop came through the Storm lower grades as a FB and debuted in the NRL at centre. I wouldn't judge him on just one game playing in a position he hasn't played in for 10 years. He may yet come good but can the Dragons afford to give up errors while they wait patiently for Widdop to blow out the cobwebs? Remember, even Ben Barba made mistakes under the high ball and in defence ahead winning the "Dally M" medal in 2012. The difficulty is trying to fit 3 playmakers (Widdop, Norman and Hunt) into one side that already has a decent young FB (Dufty) and a good defensive hooker (McInnes) who shows no real flair for attack. Hunt started at hooker at the Broncos and although McInnes's inferior in defence he is much more creative out of dummy half and might just be what the Dragons need in that position to take pressure off Widdop and Norman. Any thoughts on Jai Field at FB instead of Dufty Dragons fans?

What would be your preferred Dragons spine be then? If you play Dufty at FB and Widdop at 5/8 do you like the idea of Hunt playing hooker with Norman going to HB and McInnes playing at lock like Cam Murray? I can't see Dufty on the wing (too small) and Norman is better c loser to the ball but could cover FB without any problems. Any way you look at it, it feels like a game of musical chairs with someone missing a start. Also, Zac Lomax had a game he would probably rather forget but I still rate him and I believe he is meant to be a centre in any case, not a winger correct?

I just realised, George Burgess will also be missing in round 1 (suspension). So the Roosters really have no excuse if they don't come away with the 2 points from that game.

A lot of improvement is to be had from this game. Start by putting Widdop back to 5/8 that is his natural position.

Souths will go up two gears when Inglis and Reynolds are playing which probably won't be in round 1 against the Roosters. Also, Sam Burgess may yet be in danger of joining them on the sidelines. If all three stars are absent for the Roosters clash Souths will be up against it considering they are playing a team that are conservatively $2 mill over the salary cap for 2019. The Roosters wouldn't look too threatening either against a full strength Rabbitohs side while they were missing Cronk, Mitchell and Cordner.

"Still the fledgling combination between he, Hunt & Norman looked pretty good at times" Yes, but up against a Rabbitohs side missing Reynolds and Inglis and a halves pairing between rookie Connor Tracey and "the drifter" Cody Walker (who has a habit of drifting in and out of games) they should have done much better. Especially considering a 9 - 1 penalty count at one point in the first half and also the fact that Hunt and Norman played together at the Broncos. Still, it was only a trial and no great indication of what either team will be like when both sides are at full strength and playing for two competition points.

And what about the run of penalties the Dragons had? At one point it was 9-1 in their favour. I had to laugh at Ethan Lowe's shanked conversion attempt from right in front though. Especially since I have talked him up as adding to Souths goal kicking depth to take pressure off Reynolds. How did he miss that, seriously? I think even "Reggie the Rabbit" could have kicked that one. The cameras caught Dane Gagai laughing on the bench clearly relieved that his missed conversions didn't look as bad by comparison. Just as well the game wasn't in the balance. A miss like that when the season starts is inexcusable.

@Scott Pryde This must have been a hard story for you to write Scott. But at the end of the day it was just a trial (albeit with Souths missing Inglis and Reynolds). There was a huge run of mostly dubious penalties to the Dragons that evened out the comtest for a while though. I would be interested in your thoughts on the Dragons new look spine compared to the late adjustment in playing Norman at HB, Widdop at 5/8, Dufty at FB and Hunt at hooker with McInnes dropping back to lock (like Murray for Souths and Radley for the Roosters).

Solid hit out for both teams, this game tends to have a little more to it than a trial game which is good. The main thing both teams will be most pleased with is no injuries. As a Souths fan, was good to see the young blokes get a run. Thought Amone carted it up well whilst Knight and Sironen took there opportunities. Tracey was pretty solid and showed he can deputise for Reyno if required. Allan putting the hand up for Rd 1 selection. Lowe will add some punch on the edges, how about the shanked conversion !!