NRL Charity Shield 2021: Inside story of South Sydney’s dominance over St George Illawarra

After eight seasons of Charity Shield dominance, those integral to South Sydney’s streak have lifted the lid on their stranglehold over St George Illawarra.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett (centre) speaks with players following their win over the Dragons in the Charity Shield NRL pre-season match between the St George-Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee, NSW, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Josh Mansour, just for a moment, thinks he won the only Charity Shield he ever played in.

Which is wrong.

But the error is at least understandable.

Especially given how way back in 2011, the popular NRL winger came off the bench for South Sydney.

A fact which for eight straight seasons now, and for 14 of 19 years since these Rabbitohs returned to the competition, has always been enough to ensure you hold that shield aloft.

In fact, since 2002 the Bunnies boast a staggering 74 per cent success rate in Charity Shield matches.

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Cameron King storms through the South Sydney line during the 2011 Charity Shield.

Unbeaten too, since 2013.

With the TAB now listing them, again, as $1.30 favourites against St George Illawarra ($3.50) on Saturday in Mudgee.

So why do Souths not get beaten in the Charity Shield?

Not only recently, when St George Illawarra have battled, but even back when the Dragsters were, at times, shorter in premiership betting, boasting the stronger roster, even going on to start their season proper as if fired from a cannon.

Indeed ask Mansour about his previous Charity Shield appearance 10 years ago, and this returning Bunnies winger replies: “Yeah, I’m pretty sure we won”.

Then, a pause

“Actually, I think we lost didn’t we? Yeah, we did … with Wayne Bennett coaching St George Illawarra.”

South Sydney has had a stranglehold on the Charity Shield in the past decade.

Which at least makes Adam Reynolds a little more comfortable.

With the South Sydney No. 7 also among those few Rabbitohs from the past decade to have lost a Charity Shield game.

Which, yes, was only once — and nine years ago.

“But thanks for reminding me,” Reynolds said this week. “I was only a young fella coming through and remember (Dragons winger) Denan Kemp, he got a good shot on me.

“I actually tried to fight him, which he still likes to remind me about.”

So again, aside from the rare blemish, why are Souths so successful?

Sure, since the concept started in 1982, the clubs are locked on 16 wins each — with five draws.

But over the past 20 years, it isn’t close.

According to Shane Richardson, who stepped down as Rabbitohs GM last year, the dominance is intertwined with Souths’ hyped of resurrections in 2002.

Souths players enjoy a Charity Shield triumph.

A time, Richo says, when the match began representing a rare chance to win more than even silverware.

“When I arrived at Souths we were so hopeless, when it came to getting sponsors, getting members, it was really important to start well,” he recalled. “And with the Charity Shield on TV, it was our chance make that statement.

“So we took it very seriously.

“And (the need to win) was discussed.

“It wasn’t just a trial for us.

“And I’m not saying our coaches ranted and raved, or had music blaring from the sheds, but I do think we took it a lot more seriously than St George.

“We even had to insist on them naming squads and putting numbers on because they would often turn up with a completely different side.

“And things have evolved from there.

A packed crowd watches on at last year’s Charity Shield clash in Mudgee.

“While I think the Dragons do take it more seriously now, it’s become part of our DNA.”

Scott Geddes agrees.

Indeed, of all the Bunnies who have a reason to hate on the Charity Shield, it has to be the fella who, in consecutive years, did his ACL then ruptured a pectoral.

“So not great memories,” he recounts. “First time, it was actually in the reserve grade game because I was still serving a suspension. I was pretty big at the time, around 118kg — I was standing in a tackle, got twisted and that was it, did my ACL.

“Then next year, my pec.

“But overall, I played about eight times and there was always a real excitement.

“Because we hadn’t played finals footy the year before, we’d have been training since October and were always ready to rip and tear.

“Our fans too, get so excited.

“For Souths, it really has always been the start of our season.”

Originally published as NRL Charity Shield 2021: Inside story of South Sydney’s dominance over St George Illawarra