Dragons fall short in Charity Shield clash against Cody Walker's Rabbitohs

That's all it took for the Dragons, featuring four Group Seven products, to lose in the Charity Shield, again.

Despite trailing by eight points at half time, South Sydney - led by Nowra-born Cody Walker - found their attacking mojo in the final 40 minutes to secure a 26-12 win over St George Illawarra, including Gerringong's Tariq Sims and Jackson Ford, Shellharbour's Trent Merrin and Albion Park-Oak Flats' Adam Clune, at Mudgee's Glen Willow Stadium on Saturday night.

It was the eighth time in a row the Rabbitohs have won the annual pre-season trial.

However, there were plenty of promising signs for Dragons coach Paul McGregor.

Recruits Brayden Williame and Billy Brittain were lively, captain Tyson Frizell had a first half stint while Tariq Sims was strong up front.

Several Dragons young guns - including Tristan Sailor, Jason Saab and Adam Clune - were all given valuable game time.

In the end, it was the time between the 49^th and 65^th minute that proved the difference, with the Rabbitohs scoring four tries in that time.

Souths youth ran riot in that period, with the likes of Bayley Sironen, Jack Johns, Corey Allan and Troy Dargan giving their fans plenty to cheer about.

Both sides were guilty of handling errors in the opening 20 minutes.

However, Souths didn't have to wait long - less than a minute - to post the first try following a Blake Lawrie mistake off the first play-the-ball.

From the scrum, the Rabbitohs spread the ball wide through the hands of Cody Walker and recruit Latrell Mitchell, who found Campbell Graham in space and he dived over to score.

Adam Reynolds couldn't convert and Souths led 4-nil.

There were plenty of handling errors from both sides in the next few minutes. There was a huge blow for Souths when Jayden Su'a was taken from the field following a head clash.

Led by Mitchell, Souths continued to press hard. A nice, low kick by Reynolds looked dangerous but Zac Lomax did enough to force the ball down.

Read more: Nowra track under microscope after second greyhound death

Both sides showed promise in attack, but Corey Norman's grubber went too wide before Souths forward Keanon Koloamantangi couldn't handle possession.

From the ensuing set, a high kick by Ben Hunt fell near the try line.

A high flying Dane Gagai spilled the footy, which fell to Tyson Frizell and he flicked the ball to Paul Vaughan who barged over to score.

Lomax converted and the Dragons led 6-4 in the 15^th minute.

Souths continued to press hard and looked the more dangerous team in the next 15 minutes. However, St George Illawarra did enough to repel their attacks.

Billy Brittain was then injected from the bench by coach Paul McGregor - and he looked lively straight away at dummy half.

There was controversy in the 34^th minute when, off a Dragons high kick, Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell jumped high and appeared to lose possession.

However, the referee ruled that he didn't touch the ball.

Read more: Volkanovski eyeing GOAT status as defence campaign begins

Tyson Frizell decided to use a Captain's Challenge - with success - and the Dragons received the ball again in their attacking 20m.

Trent Merrin looked dangerous with a nice hit and spin, but his pass to teammate Tyrell Fuimaono was knocked down by Souths. The Rabbitohs used a Captain's Challenge on the decision - without luck.

The Dragons continued to press hard and were rewarded. A nice, flat pass from Brittain leads to Fuimaono pushing over to score. Lomax converted and St George Illawarra led 12-4 in the 36^th minute.

That's how the scoreline remained at half time. Latrell Mitchell was a constant threat in attack for Souths while teammates Liam Knight, Tom Burgess, Damien Cook and Junior Tatola were solid in the first half.

For the Dragons, Lomax was strong at fullback while Vaughan and Frizell worked tirelessly.

Both sides made plenty of handling errors - 12 between them in the first half - and that continued after half time with Troy Dargan knocking on.

From the scrum, the Dragons looked lively in attack. The ball was spread wide to Brayden Williame and his nice flick pass found Tim Lafai, who looked like he had scored but his foot brushed the touch line.

The next set saw the referee rule that the Dragons had knocked the ball down. However, Ben Hunt used a Captain's Challenge - again with success.

In the 49^th minute, Souths finally scored their second try of the night through forward Patrick Mago. Blake Taaffe nailed the conversion and the Rabbitohs trailed 12-10.

The mistakes continued to follow with Lomax booting the ball too long from the kick-off. However, the Dragons worked hard from the ensuing set to deny Souths from scoring again.

From the kick-off, Souths made big metres and a nice kick by Bayley Sironen put the Dragons under the pump - but Mikaele Ravalawa did well to mop up the ball.

Momentum continued to swing towards the Rabbitohs, with Tom Amone finding space.

From the next play, a falling Jack Johns passed the ball to Braidon Burns - but he was held up over the line.

Soon after, Patrick Mago showed strength to hold up and pass the ball to Sironen - who pushed his way over to score.

Taaffe converted and the Rabbitohs led 16-12 after 53 minutes.

The Dragons appeared to look rattled with a couple of handling errors, including a drop by Lomax following a towering bomb.

The pressure proved telling, with a nice slide of hands between Souths players leading to Keaon Koloamatangi scoring out wide.

Taaffe missed the conversion but the Rabbitohs led 20-12 after 59 minutes.

The mistakes continued for the Dragons with Lomax booting the ball too long from the kick-off.

However, they did enough in the ensuing set to deny Souths from scoring again.

St George Illawarra looked dangerous in the next set, making more than 80 metres.

Euan Aitken found some space but his pass wide to Mikaele Ravalawa missed the mark.

Souths made their opponents pay for the missed opportunity.

A lovely slide of hands led to Alex Johnston passing the ball out wide to Corey Allan, and he flicked the footy back to Johnston to score.

Taaffe booted the conversion and the Rabbitohs led 26-12 after 65 minutes.

The Dragons' best chance to score late came via an Adam Clune bomb, which was grabbed by Saab but his pass missed the target.

Souths continued to press hard in the dying minutes but couldn't add to the 26-12 scoreline.

The Dragons will now prepare for the NRL season opener against Wests Tigers in Wollongong on March 15.