Dragons Claim Charity Shield with 46-26 Victory Over Rabbitohs

In the Charity Shield match, the St George Illawarra Dragons defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 46-26, raising concerns for Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett as he prepares for the season. The Rabbitohs were without key players Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell due to injuries, which put added pressure on their roster. Jamie Humphreys stepped up, scoring a try and assisting two others after replacing the struggling Lewis Dodd, who was sin-binned for a high tackle. Despite a poor first half where the Dragons led 34-10, Souths mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to eight points before the Dragons regained control. Sione Finau shone for the Dragons with four tries, although he left the field due to a head injury. The Dragons' win marked just their second Charity Shield victory in a decade, showcasing impressive performances from their recruits, including Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias.