NRL News
Dragons expect keen contest in Charity Shield
The 24th Charity Shield kicks off this Saturday night and Dragons believe it will be one of the most keenly contested trials this year. The traditional St George Illawarra and South Sydney clash will be at Telstra Stadium this Saturday night, and the event now has huge exposure and recognition in the NRL community.
Saints coach Brown, who moves into to his fifth year as head coach, believes the traditional clash will be treated seriously by both Clubs and each side look to be fielding strong teams in their final trial match before kick off in the 2007 Telstra Premiership.
“The Charity Shield is always a tough match and is a good chance to trial what we have been working on in the off-season in a “big” game environment,” said Brown. “The strong line-ups and the fact that this its the final game before the 2007 season begins means the traditional clash will be taken to a new level”.
Saints Captain and new pivot Mark Gasnier will lead the Dragons for the first time after having overcome an illness that kept him from the Bulldogs match last week”
“We are always keen to play the Charity Shield, there is something special about this game,” said Gasnier. “It's the last chance for us to get our combinations right and tweak things before the season starts. It is also the final chance for Players’ to push for selection and both teams have big name players which will make it a great contest”.
The Charity Shield started in 1982 and so too did the tradition of supporting local charities and causes. In 2007 takings from the Charity Shield will be sent to the St.George Foundation who in-turn will pass money to the St George and Wollongong Public Hospitals in the Dragons’ areas.
The St.George Foundation was setup in 1990 by St.George Bank the major sponsor of the St George Illawarra Dragons, to help children from birth to 18 years of age with special needs. Since then, over $9 mil has been allocated by the Foundation.
Results
In the 23 Charity Shield games since 1982, The Dragons have won 13 times; Rabbitohs 7, draws 3. Since St George Illawarra was born in 1999, the Charity Shield has been played six times – Dragons 2 wins, Rabbitohs 3 wins; 1 draw.
Charity Shield Program – Saturday, March 3
4.30pm Gates Open
4.35pm Shellharbour Marlins v Raymond Terrace
6.05pm Premier League – Dragons v North Sydney Bears
8.00pm FOX live broadcast, NRL Trial, Dragons v Rabbitohs
| NRL | Premier League |
| Coach: Nathan Brown | Coach: Steven Price |
| | |
| 1. Josh MORRIS | 1. Jason NIGHTINGALE |
| 2. Luke MACDOUGALL | 2. |
| 3. Wes NAIQAMA | 3. Frank SAMIA |
| 4. Matt COOPER | 4. Keith LULIA |
| 5. Chase STANLEY | 5. Sam MORATH |
| 6. Mark GASNIER | 6. Richard WILLIAMS |
| 7. Ben HORNBY | 7. Rangi CHASE |
| 8. Chris HOUSTON | 8. Ricardo YOUNG |
| 9. Simon WOOLFORD | 9. Tony CAINE |
| 10. Dan HUNT | 10. Matt PRIOR |
| 11. Ashton SIMS | 11. Jason WHITE |
| 12. Beau SCOTT | 12. Reece LOVEGROVE |
| 13. Ben CREAGH | 13. James JIMENEZ |
| | |
| 14. Adam PEEK | 14. Brian WEST |
| 15. Danny WICKS | 15. Brad DAVIDSON |
| 16. Corey PAYNE | 16. Casey ELLIS |
| 18. Lagi SETU | 17. Reece BLAYNEY |
| 19. Ben ELLIS | 18. Pat ROSSER |
| 20. Charlie LEAENO | 19. Daniel FEPULEAI |
| 21. Ricky THORBY | 20. Scott SABLOWSKI |
| | 21. John KENNEDY |
| | 22. Scott MACDOUGALL |
| | 23. Jason KLIMIS |
| | 24. Sene TALA |
