St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 26-6 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park on Saturday.
The Red-and-Whites scored only the one try late in the Men of League Heritage Round encounter through prop Jack de Belin.
Head Coach Steve Price had made several changes to his finalised line-up with Dragons utility Adam Quinlan named at halfback.
Additionally, second-rower Joel Thompson was elevated from the interchange bench in a straight swap with Leeson Ah Mau, who reverted to the interchange bench alongside Kyle Stanley, Mike Cooper and Jack Stockwell.
Furthermore, Jack de Belin started in the vacated starting prop position following Tyson Frizell's previously announced omission due to a sprained foot.
In a tightly contested opening period it was South Sydney who put first points on the board following halfback Adam Reynolds’ penalty conversion in the 11th minute.
The 28th minute saw Rabbitohs prop Luke Burgess stretch over the try line for four points.
Reynolds successfully converted to make it 8-nil.
The very next set saw fullback Josh Dugan cross the chalk but was ruled no try by officials in the 30th minute.
In the 34th minute Rabbitohs prop Jason Clarke bowled over the try line to put another four points on the board.
Reynolds took the conversion to take the score to 14-nil.
The Dragons started the second half with a 7-1 penalty count in favour of the Rabbitohs that was added to when winger Brett Morris was placed on report for a supposed shoulder charge.
After 12 minutes of seesawing play there was no change in scores showing each team’s unwavering defence.
However, Rabbitohs prop Sam Burgess stormed over the line in the 54th minute to make it 18-nil.
Reynolds successfully converted to make it 20-nil.
South Sydney fullback Greg Inglis put another four points on the board when he went over in the 68th minute.
Reynolds converted to make it 26-nil.
Dragons prop Jack de Belin put the home side on the scoreboard when he crossed the line in the 72nd minute.
Five-eighth Gareth Widdop successfully converted to take their score to 26-6.
St George Illawarra Dragons 6 were defeated against the South Sydney Rabbitohs 26.
St George Illawarra Dragons 6. Tries: de Belin. Goals: Widdop (1/1).
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26. Tries: Burgess L, Clarke, Burgess S, Inglis. Goals: Reynolds (4/4). Penalty Goals: Reynolds (1/1).
