2025 Charity Shield
South Sydney DRLFC (1908) v St George-Illawarra
Mudgee, Saturday 22 February
Last Saturday was busy and varied.
Park Run 71 in Nuriootpa before dashing to Kapunda for a Barossa Vintage Festival scarecrow building workshop. The goal: a ‘Rabbit in the Vineyard’ themed scarecrow as part of the 2025 biannual Barossa Vintage Festival in April.
I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this concept … stay tuned! A sub-committee and/or a working bee, in true Lutheran Church tradition, may be my only saviour!
Then to inter-club athletics competition in Adelaide before meeting Mrs Hansen for a wine and a platter in East End before thoroughly enjoying the acclaimed comedian Mel Buttle at The Fringe.
Amongst this, South Sydney played St George-Illawarra in the annual Charity Shield. Last week Ian Hauser posed the question, in response to Cameron Murray’s Achilles injury, as well as Latrell’s latest drama (another hamstring injury this time rather than suspension): ‘Is Souths’ season over before the NRL proper has kicked off?’
0-34, with the Dragons’ rookie winger Sione Finau scoring four tries in the early onslaught, had me shaking my head in the grandstand at Mile End Stadium in Adelaide, as Rob ‘around the grounds’ Bush kept me updated.
Finau left the field with either concussion or heat exhaustion after his four tries before half-time carve up of Souths’ often maligned defence.
Rubbing salt into the wound, South’s former halfback Lachlan Ilias, clearly with a point to prove, scored against his old club.
“In the tradition of Brayden Burns,” was my response to Rob’s Ilias try-scoring update. Burns was playing NSW Cup for Souths before being picked up by the North Queensland Cowboys. Somehow Brayden looked like he had gained a yard of pace and was suddenly somehow unstoppable as he scored a double against his old club in the NRL … Give me strength!
I eventually watched the Charity Shield replay on Sunday evening. Not pleasant viewing. Both Damian Cook and Lachlan Ilias looked fit and content at their new club, while Souths looked out of sorts both in attack and defence.
‘It’s only a trial’ does not apply to the Charity Shield. There is a trophy on the line in this annual fixture, now in its 42nd year.
Looking for positives from the Charity Shield: Jye Gray, once again in the team due to Latrell’s absence, much in the same fashion as Blake Taaffe previously, was a livewire in attack. Manly recruit James Humphreys was a breath of fresh air at halfback in the second half, replacing the high-profile English import, Lewis Dodd. Dodd will miss Round 1 due to suspension.
Round 1 sees Uncle Wayne return to Brisbane where the Dolphins await Souths in Friday night football. No Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham, among others for Souths.
Will the defence improve before Friday week? Souths will need to contain the ‘Hammer’ – Hamiso Tabuai-Fido – whose profile has grown in the off season due to his romance with NRLW star Jaime Chapman.
It is a case of déjà vu all over again for the aging Cody Walker’s dodgy calf. This time last year, Souths were in Vegas preparing to take on Manly. Will Cody’s calf be ready for Round 1?
Charity Shield full time:
St George-Illawarra 46 d South Sydney 26
Half-time: Dragons 34-10
Sin bin: Lewis Dodd (41st minute)
Souths points: tries Gray, Sullivan, Koloamatangi (2), Humphreys, goals: Tass (3)
Souths team list: Gray, Myers, Tass (c.), Wighton, Munro, Sullivan, Dodd, Keppie, Mamezoulos, Moale, Koloamatangi, Fletcher, Duncan. Bench: Hubner, La Blanc, Ataata, Ward, Webley, Penitani, Bentley-Hope
Highlights:
NRL Extended Highlights 2025 | Dragons v Rabbitohs | Pre-Season, Week 3
***
Great option: Mel Buttle at the Adelaide Fringe
Mel Buttle’s sold out show at the Adelaide Fringe was the wise choice last Saturday.
As an ex-teacher with an extensive career of two years, one of her many less than subtle digs was at the expense of PE teachers: “PE teachers aren’t real teachers, come on! They are bus drivers someone has given a whistle to!”
Well played, Mel Buttle, well played!
***
Barossa Red Wine of the Week
Barossa Valley Estate 2021 GSM – it was a warm weekend in South Australia.
On a warmer day, GSM is a great option!
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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You’re truly a man for all seasons, RITV, hopping from one engagement to the next, on and on throughout the day. I can but marvel at your stamina!
As for the Rabbitohs, I’m sure you’re already preparing an incisive question or six to put to Blake Solly on March 29.
Love the PE teacher line!
And a good GSM, a relaxing way to end the day.