The Rabbitohs continued their Charity Shield dominance of the Dragons with a 28-6 victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night.
After scores were locked 6-6 at half-time the Rabbitohs kicked clear on the back powerful displays up front from Sean Keppie and Tevita Tatola and a composed showing by youngster Jye Gray at fullback.
The Rabbitohs have now won 10 of the past 12 Charity Shield clashes with a draw in 2015 and a Dragons win in 2022.
On the back of a penalty against Jack de Belin for a high tackle the Rabbitohs earned a repeat set courtesy of a Dean Hawkins grubber and had two more sets inside the red zone but the Dragons' defence held firm.
A mistake by Dragons No.1 Tyrell Sloan deep in his own territory gave the Rabbitohs another opportunity but Peter Mamouzelos fumbled the ball at dummy half and the chance was lost.
Jacob Host Try
When Sloan exploded into space in the 25th minute the Dragons looked certain to open the scoring but the fullback's pass went astray and two minutes later it was Jack Bird putting a chip kick out on the full as the Red V searched for polish at the end of their sets.
With three minutes remaining in the first half the Rabbitohs opened the scoring when a strong tackle by Lachlan Ilias forced the ball out of Sloan's hands and Jacob Host picked up the scraps to score. Hawkins converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Dragons hit back almost immediately when prolific winger Mikaele Ravalawa swooped on a loose ball after an Isaiah Tass mistake and the scores were locked 6-6 at the break.
Richard Kennar Try
Nine minutes into the second stanza the Rabbitohs doubled their lead when Braidon Burns finished off a slick passing raid that started with a Cameron Murray offload in the middle of the field.
The Rabbitohs went further ahead in the 63rd minute when Davvy Moale powered onto a Mamouzelos pass from close range and plunged over for his team's third try of the night. Hawkins converted for an 18-6 lead.
A sublime pass by Jarrett Subloo to send Burns over for his second try in the 72nd minute before Richie Kennar put the icing on the cake with a try in the dying seconds from a Taane Milne kick.
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Match Snapshot
- Rabbitohs centre Richie Kennar left the field for a HIA in the fourth minute which he passed.
- The Rabbitohs picked up a bonus point for scoring five tries.
- The Dragons made 11 errors in the first half and only two in the second term.
- Jack Bird was strong in his first game in the centres for the Dragons with 116 metres and four tackle breaks.
- Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray came up with 159 metres from 14 runs and looked assured under the high ball.
Davvy Moale Try
- Dragons skipper Ben Hunt had some nice touches in the opening 40 minutes and then sat out the second half.
- Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie enjoyed a big night in his club debut with 17 hit-ups for 156 metres. Fellow big man Tevita Tatola made 135 metres from 12 runs.
- Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray made 118 metres from 14 runs and got through 24 tackles in 60 minutes of game time.
- Rabbitohs forward Tallis Duncan was placed on report in the 70th minute for a dangerous tackle.
Mikaele Ravalawa Try
Play of the Game
Inspirational Bunnies skipper Cameron Murray laid the foundations for a superb team try early in the second half when he took the ball to the line and found Sean Keppie in support. The former Sea Eagle got the ball on to Peter Mamouzelos who found Lachlan Ilias and then Jye Gray before Taane Milne delivered the final pass for Braidon Burns to dive over in the right corner.
Braidon Burns Try
What's Next
The Rabbitohs are on a plane this week and heading for the historic NRL season-opener in Las Vegas. Their fans will get a look at the club's future when the players who remain behind take on the Roosters at Belmore to open Round 2 of the Pre-Season Challenge.
The Dragons host Wests Tigers at Glen Willow Oval in Mudgee on Saturday before opening their Telstra Premiership campaign against the Titans on the Gold Coast.