Dragons vs Rabbitohs
Sunday 19 February
ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: 4:00pm (AEST)
The South Sydney Rabbitohs return to ANZ Stadium to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons this Sunday afternoon in a game that will mark the 35th anniversary of the Charity Shield.
Kicking off at the family-friendly time of 4pm, the Rabbitohs will be looking to retain the Charity Shield for the fifth consecutive year in what will be the last trial for the 2017 pre-season.
With each player looking to catch the eye of Coach Michael Maguire, the trial will act as an opportunity for players to lift their performances to fight for a spot in round one.
"There is still obviously a lot of competition in the team," Maguire said.
"It's another opportunity for our players to get out and perform and get close to that round one team. At the end of the day there is plenty of opportunity for our players to put their performances out on the park."
This Sunday’s match will be the first time Rabbitohs hookers Robbie Farah and Damien Cook have both been named with each player looking to impress in aim for the starting position in Maguire’s round one line up.
"Both the boys will get forty minutes (in the Charity Shield)," said Maguire.
"I want to see how they perform and that will lead into what we have in round one. They're two very quality players and I'm looking forward to how we use them moving forward.”
Adam Reynolds will have his first hit up for the season alongside nine of his teammates Alex Johnston, Bryson Goodwin, Hymel Hunt, Cody Walker, Dave Tyrrell, John Sutton, Thomas Burgess, Zane Musgrove and Captain Sam Burgess who have yet to take the field for a full-format 2017 match.
“The boys are excited, for a fair few of us it’s our first hit out for the year, I’m looking forward to running out there in front of Members.” Reynolds said.
The Dragons will be fielding what they believe is close to their best squad on Sunday according to assistant coach Ben Hornby. Despite the absence of injured players including Mose Masoe, the Dragons will be using the trial to work on their combinations in preparation for round one.
"This is close to our best squad at the moment, the coaching staff thinks," said Hornby.
"While we'll still going to give some guys some opportunities to impress, it'll be close to our starting side. This trial is more about getting those combinations going before the season starts.”
Ticket Members will be able to attend the game as part of their Membership benefits, have access to the Members Deck (Rabbitohs Members Bar) and have a chance to be upgraded to Centreline Seats, watch the warm-up on the field and post-match on field. Click here for more information.
Tickets for the game are available by clicking here, by calling 132 849, at any Ticketek outlet, or at the gates on Sunday.
NYC
Dragons vs Rabbitohs
Sunday 19 February
ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: 1:45pm (AEST)
The Rabbitohs under 20s side will contest in their first curtain raiser match for 2017 against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday with kick-off scheduled for 1:45pm.
Similar to the NRL, each player will be looking to impress new Coach Ryan Carr in order to secure a spot in his round one line-up.
"I'm really looking forward to the boys getting out and having a run especially after losing last weeks game due to the weather," said Carr.
"I'm excited to see the boys play and get an opportunity to compete for round one spots and hopefully put together a positive performance on the back of a good tough pre-season.
"It's a great chance for us to see where we are at as a squad and hopefully execute everything we have been training for over the past three months."
Adam Doueihi, Kalani Ili and Phoenix Hunt all had a run in last week’s NRL trial match against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and are in the starting NYC thirteen for Sunday.
