St George Illawarra Dragons halfback Benji Marshall has been named to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the traditional Charity Shield fixture at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Saturday.

Marshall (ankle) is poised to compete in his first trial of the pre-season having been rested from both the NRL Auckland Nines tournament and trial against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls this past weekend.

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Head Coach Paul McGregor has named a 25-man squad for the traditional fixture which also sees Drew Hutchison named as five-eighth and utility Jake Marketo named in the second-row.

Furthermore, new recruit Kurt Mann has been named as fullback for the 33rd annual fixture in lieu of Josh Dugan who has been rested.

The Dragons will be without the services of captain Gareth Widdop and Joel Thompson for the pre-season fixture due to their participation in the annual NRL All-Stars match.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and competing in the Charity Shield this weekend,” said Marshall.

“The Dragons medical staff had opted to rest me from the Nines tournament to allow me some extra time to recover from the off-season ankle surgery but I feel fit and ready.

“The Rabbitohs forward-pack always pose a threat but we have recruited a lot of size and depth within our own squad too and it will be good to see them in action come kick-off.”

1. Kurt Mann

2. Peter Mata’utia

3. Tim Lafai

4. Euan Aitken

5. Jason Nightingale

6. Drew Hutchison

7. Benji Marshall

8. Leeson Ah Mau

9. Mitch Rein

10. Russell Packer

11. Jake Marketo

12. Will Matthews

13. Jack de Belin

14. Ben Creagh (c)

15. Mike Cooper

16. Dunamis Lui

17. Siliva Havili

18. Tyrone McCarthy

19. Josh McCrone

20. Kalifa Faifai Loa

21. Taane Milne

22. Adam Quinlan

23. Sebastine Ikahihifo

24. Jacob Host

25. Hame Sele

Unavailable: Dylan Farrell (Back - TBC); Tyson Frizell (Back - Round 2); Yaw Kiti Glymin (Hamstring - Round 1); Joel Thompson (NRL Indigenous All-Stars); Gareth Widdop (NRL World All-Stars).

The Charity Shield commenced in 1982 and so too did the tradition of supporting local charities and causes. In 2016, proceeds from the Charity Shield will support three charities within the Dragons Community program – the St George and Wollongong Public Hospitals in addition to the St.George Foundation.

Dragons Community was established in 2008 with the aim of having a positive impact on people’s lives within their community which stretches from Kogarah in the north to Batemans Bay in the south.

Dragons Community currently runs over seven key programs across their three major program portfolios:

* Education & Skills * Health & Wellbeing * Social Inclusion



St.George Foundation was founded in 1990 by St.George Bank, the major partner of the St George Illawarra Dragons, to help build a secure future for disadvantaged children. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding programs that enrich the lives of Australian children who are physically, socially or economically disadvantaged.

For the 2016 Charity Shield, St.George Foundation will once again showcase the selfless work demonstrated by local charity ‘Kookaburra Kids’, who will form the guard of honour at the game to represent the thousands of children across Australia who are helped by St.George Foundation each year.

Results

The St George Illawarra Dragons drew 12-all with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in last season’s corresponding fixture held at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park. In the 32 Charity Shield fixtures contested since 1982, the Dragons have recorded 16 wins, 11 losses and drawn on five occasions.

Click Here For Game Day Information Concerning The Charity Shield!

Jersey Auction

Red V Members and supporters alike can bid to win the player signed and match worn 2016 Charity Shield Jerseys with all proceeds go towards our two local hospitals, St George Public and Wollongong Public as well as the St. George Foundation.

Be sure to follow the Dragons on Facebook to find out more or to place a bid!

Ticketing Information

Tickets to the 2016 Charity Shield are on sale to the general public now through Ticketek. For further information or to purchase tickets please click here.