Rabbitohs run riot over dull Dragons

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CONSUMING 16 pints on Anzac Day?

It's not unheard of. Scoring 16 points in almost six weeks since Anzac Day?

It's a miserable return that's sure to have the NRL's most parochial regiment — the Dragon Army — sweating renewed bullets.

Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs takes on the defence. Source: Getty Images

The once formidable gathering of red and white was on Monday night reduced to a disillusioned smattering in the south eastern corner of ANZ Stadium, which saw just 11,771 fans watch a match that became a forgone conclusion from well before the first points were scored.

GET ALL THE STATS AND BIG PLAYS IN THE MATCH CENTRE.

While Souths were heavily favoured and never headed en route to a 29-10 romp, all the pre-match intrigue surrounded St George Illawarra, which was playing its first match under caretaker coach Paul McGregor.

Ben Te'o of the Rabbitohs runs the ball. Source: Getty Images

And while the final margin wasn't as ugly as the previous three hammerings to the Roosters, Bulldogs, and Eels, the method of destruction was similar Yet again St George Illawarra's pack was exposed, with South Sydney's huge forwards dining out on their smaller opposites in the same fashion that's already delivered big wins in the Charity Shield and Heritage Round this season.

Gerard Beale of the Dragons is tackled by Dylan Walker. Source: Getty Images

The difference since then was Benji Marshall's inclusion and Josh Dugan's surprise switch to right centre.

Both endured similar nights, their involvement and error rates roughly equal.

Marshall's spiralling bombs were superb, as was a flick pass that he executed on the fly just before full time.

South Sydney's George Burgess tackled by Dragon's Mitch Rein. Source: News Corp Australia

Not so impressive was an early kick-out on the full early in the first half, followed by an unforced fumble early in the second. Still, the NRL's latest prodigal son was involved and energetic enough to fully justify McGregor's calls for patience afterwards.

The caretaker coach also revealed Dugan's move was made to remedy the team's evaporating points tally, which was much healthier when unheralded local junior Adam Quinlan played the first four games in his absence.

But given Dugan's edge conceded the first three Rabbitohs tries in the space midway through the first half, not to mention Quinlan's lack of impact from the rear, McGregor faces another selection dilemma ahead of Saturday night's must-win local derby against Cronulla in Wollongong.

South Sydney's Issac Luke tackled by Dragon's Leeson Ah Mau. Source: News Corp Australia

Without a specialist right centre until Dylan Farrell returns from a torn pectoral in August, it's a problem McGregor will continue to face for most of his short time in the hot seat.

"At the start of the year when Adam was fullback we scored something like 110 points in four games," McGregor said.

"We've been looking for a right centre and (Dugan) is 101kg. He jumped at the chance, he actually looked forward to it (moving to the centres). He's a team man."

South Sydney's Dylan Walker celebrates scoring a try. Source: News Corp Australia

McGregor was also more impressed with the effort of his forwards, who have been mercilessly steam-rolled in recent weeks. They absorbed similar punishment for South Sydney's giants last night, with Burgess brothers George and Sam instrumental in softening up their opposition during the scoreless opening quarter.

But when Joel Reddy scored the first of his two tries — both untouched — in the 22nd minute, the inevitable deluge of red and green points arrived. Souths had the match in their keeping 11 minutes later, up 18-0, leaving Dragons skipper Ben Creagh to reflect on the consolation of scoring just one less point from then on.

Dragon's Mitch Rein on report. Source: News Corp Australia

"There were blokes in the middle making an effort and doing their best against a bigger pack," Creagh said.

"We've now got to learn to build pressure. We've not learned to do that."

While St George Illawarra are in free fall following seven losses from their past eight games, South Sydney have now broken back in to the top four for the first time since their opening round win over the Roosters.

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Also chuffed with the strong return of hooker Issac Luke from a shoulder injury, Maguire praised his team for turning their attitude around.

"The way we've defended has probably been the most pleasing part," Maguire said.

SOUTH SYDNEY 29 (J Reddy 2 S Burgess A Reynolds D Walker tries A Reynolds 3 D Walker goals A Reynolds field goal) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 10 (G Beale T Frizell tries G Widdop goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 11,771.

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