Rabbitohs beat Dragons 36-24 in Charity Shield as rookie stars

South Sydney might have won the Charity Shield but Wayne Bennett has plenty of work to do to whip is side into order before round one despite a three-try haul to rookie Corey Allan.

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Wayne Bennett stood in the middle of a bush footy oval trying to talk down another Next Big Thing.

For this is what the Supercoach does.

And has done ... for years.

But Bunnies recruit Corey Allan?

Geez, he seems a good ‘un.

Famous for being the only footballer to ever play Prime Ministers XIII before NRL, 20-year-old Allan looks every inch a future South Sydney No.1 -- and immediately, a left winger -- after scoring three tries in his side’s Charity Shield win against St George Illawarra at Glen Willow Sports Complex, Mudgee.

Corey Allan bags one of his three tries during the Charity Shield. Picture: Gregg Porteous/ NRL Photos

Apart from bagging a hat-trick on the left flank, the kid recruited from Brisbane -- albeit, before Bennett himself signed -- also finished the night strongly at fullback after Alex Johnston was given an early shower by the coach.

While Johnston will undoubtedly start the year at fullback, with Greg Inglis at centre, Allan looms as a genuine challenger for spots in the Redfern backline.

In fact, so good was the youngster he finished second in the night’s ‘Best Buy’ category, behind only those Mudgee Dragons stubby holders being sold at the bar for six just bucks.

And to all this hype, Benny says what?

“I don’t see him getting a start in round one,” the coach deadpanned.

While Bennett then added that could change if Inglis failed to overcome a knee injury in time for the season opener, he added: “He (Allan) really isn’t a winger, but that’s where he played tonight.

“He’s got a couple of good fullbacks in front of him. I don’t think he’ll be playing initially.”

But he’s got potential, right?

Zac Lomax celebrates with Gareth Widdop after scoring a try during the Charity Shield. Picture: AAP

“Potential kills coaches,” Bennett said, with what almost resembled a grin.

“He just needs to mature.

“Souths recruited him before I came here. Nobody doubts he’s got ability, it’s just a matter of maturity now.”

SAME OLD SAM

Bennett reiterated claims he has made before that English Test forward Sam Burgess needs to be more discipline in defence after being pinged for a high tackle on Jordan Pereira.

“Sam has to work on his discipline,” said Bennett, who has given the same message to Burgess before as England head coach. “He’s a 30-year-old and one of the top players the game has ever seen, so he understands what works and what doesn’t.

“He just needs to take ownership of that.

Tariq Sims looks to have picked up where he left off last season, scroring a try for the Dragons. Picture: Getty

“Sam has a great competitive instinct. He reminded me in the first half of someone who was maybe trying too hard. That was more of his problem than anything else.

“First game of the year, he’s excited, he wants to be a part of it all tonight. But five or six games into the season and he won’t have that excitement, especially when he’s waking up sore every Monday morning.”

And for St George Illawarra?

After a week of drama surrounding the Jack de Belin suspension, the Dragons looked solid in attack -- producing four converted points -- but struggled at times defensively on the edges.

At fullback, former No.6 Gareth Widdop dropped a bomb, which led to a Bunnies try soon after, but otherwise looked far more at home in his new position.

New halves Ben Hunt and Corey Norman also looked sharper in attack, however coach Paul McGregor conceded work was needed on the edges defensively, with communication and “trust”.

WEMBLEY OF THE WEST

Want to know what the Charity Shield means to Mudgee in 2019?

“Everything,” says Kenny Sutcliffe. “We’ve got the worst drought in history right now, guys shelving out hundreds of thousands of dollars -- and with nothing coming in -- to keep their cattle alive, to keep themselves alive.

“This town alone has shelled out more than $1.5 million from pockets that can ill afford it. And we’re one of the more fortunate towns. So this game of football, it’s a great distraction. Apart from bringing millions into the local economy, it also ensures those people who are doing it tough, they’ll come here and, just for a few hours, simply relish watching a game of footy”.