The Dragons and Rabbitohs played their annual unofficial Season Opener. This game had been touted in the media as a match-up between Gordon Tallis (Rabbitohs Forward Coach) and Wayne Bennett, Coach of the Dragons.
The Rabbitohs form had been mixed, but the Dragons had been strong, belting an under-strength Roosters outfit, then getting over the top of a Bulldogs team having their first hit-out.
Expectations were high for the Dragons, as they had spoken of having commitment and determination, and were working hard to remove their soft under-belly. This match was seen by many as one of their opening shots to show the public.
For a trial game, this game means a lot. And the coaches would have taken a lot from it, however Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor would have taken more from the game, as their defence kept the Dragons to just six points. On the other hand, Bennett would not have been as happy, as the Dragons leaked 18 points.
At times the Dragons resolve was noted, but again the team was left at times to rue soft options taken by members of the Dragons outfit. Colin Best, the maligned buy for the Rabbitohs, highlighted the rot for the Dragons with a double try effort while former Panther Rhys Wesser was sparkling at the back. John Sutton, Chris Sandow all played their roles in a game that has heightened the expectations of their fans.
The Dragons, were noticeably out of sorts in attack, but relatively solid in defence. The scoreline read 18-6 to the Souths team and the extent that the Dragons have toughened up, is read clearly in that result.
As for the Bennett-Tallis match-up, the results went to the Souths forwards.
The Bennett project is clearly a long term project with judgement around September, but can us fans wait that long?