Charity Shield 2020: South Sydney Rabbitohs, St George Illawarra Dragons, Mudgee

Rabbitohs v Dragons: Walker back for Souths; Graham forgoes trials

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 28 Feb 2020, 03:55 PM

Mudgee again plays host to the Rabbitohs and Dragons on Saturday night with a sell-out crowd expected for the annual Charity Shield clash.

The Rabbitohs took the spoils 36-24 to retain the shield in the fixture last year with a 36-24 victory to secure their fifth consecutive triumph over the Dragons in the pre-season match.

St George Illawarra are coming off a strong 38-12 victory over Newcastle in their first trial of 2020 and will look to continue building on their combinations leading into round one.

South Sydney fielded mainly a reserve grade squad in their first hit-out against the Eels last week but still managed to grind out a 28-24 win.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Dragons

Venue: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. James Roberts, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds (c), 8. Junior Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su'A, 12. Cameron Murray, 13. Liam Knight. Interchange: 14. Patrick Mago,15. Hame Sele, 16. Alex Johnston, 17. Keaon Koloamatangi, 18. Bryson Goodwin, 19. Corey Allan, 20. Bayley Sironen, 21. Troy Dargan, 22. Blake Taaffe, 23. Jack Johns, 24. Tom Amone

Cody Walker, Liam Knight and Troy Dargan will play after nursing injuries over the pre-season. Ethan Lowe (knee) and Mark Nicholls (shoulder) aren't available. Reigning Dally M Lock of the Year Cameron Murray has been switched to second-row, while Latrell Mitchell will don a Rabbitohs jumper for the first time.

Dragons: Euan Aitken, Eddie Blacker, Billy Brittain, Adam Clune, Jackson Ford, Tyson Frizell, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host, Ben Hunt, Tim Lafai, Blake Lawrie, Zac Lomax, Issac Luke, Trent Merrin, Corey Norman, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Saab, Tristan Sailor, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan, Brayden Wiliame

James Graham will head into the season without any trial hitouts, with the veteran prop being rested again. Trent Merrin (back) missed last week's game but is set to pull on the Red V for the first time since 2015. Issac Luke and Tyrell Fuimaono are also backing up after featuring in the All Stars clash. Josh Kerr is sidelined with a knee injury.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Zac Lomax
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 James Roberts

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Timoteo Lafai
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Issac Luke
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jacob Host

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Patrick Mago

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Trent Merrin
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame Sele

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Jackson Ford
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Alex Johnston

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Tyrell Fuimaono
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Billy Brittain

Reserves

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Bryson Goodwin

Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Brayden Wiliame
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Corey Allan

Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Adam Clune
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Bayley Sironen

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Tristan Sailor
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Troy Dargan

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Eddie Blacker
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Blake Taaffe

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Jason Saab
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 23 Jack Johns

Reserve for Dragons is number 23 Luke Gale

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Referee: Gavin Badger
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel

Last updated: 12/8/2022 3:40:30 AM

The big question

Rabbitohs: Can Latrell Mitchell slot into the fullback spot in his first club game? The new recruit was limited in last week's All Stars clash in the No.1 jersey before shifting to the centres in the second half. With only 80 minutes left before round one, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett will get a good look at Mitchell's potential and impact at in the custodian role when he takes the field.

Dragons: What sort of impact can Luke make? The loss of Cameron McInnes for at least the opening month of the 2020 season leaves the former Warrior as the main man at hooker. Luke was restricted to 28 minutes playing for the Maori All Stars but should get at least double that when he runs out in the Red V on Saturday.