The Rabbitohs produced one of the biggest upsets in Charity Shield history, but the 28-24 victory over the Dragons was marred by a devastating injury to young playmaker Jonah Glover.

Playing against his former side for the first time, the halfback was forced off in just the third minute with a fractured jaw after copping an accidental shoulder to the head while trying to tackle Luciano Leilua.

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MATCH CENTRE: Dragons vs Rabbitohs teams, scores, updates

Blood was pouring from the mouth and Glover was distressed as he was taken from the field in a cruel blow to the young man who would have loved the chance to nail his audition for a potential NRL jersey.

It wasn’t the only injury in a chaotic opening exchanges with luckless Dragons forward Hame Sele forced off in the second minute and ruled out immediately following a nasty head knock.

The injuries won’t take away from an incredible victory by a Souths team missing Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, David Fifita and other stars against a Dragons side that is off to Las Vegas next week.

COMBINATIONS

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan would have loved some of the little signs he saw on Saturday night, with his new-look spine showing some promise.

Key recruit Daniel Atkinson had some classy touches, with the halfback breaking through to set up Clint Gutherson for the first try of the night.

The pair combined later in the first half and should have set up Damien Cook for his second try of the night after some lovely work through the middle, only for the veteran hooker to drop the final pass.

That play is exactly what Flanagan is looking for with his speed men all pushing up around the ball sniffing for offloads from the forwards.

INSANE Tigers try DEFIES BELIEF! | 00:48

RECRUIT WATCH

Matt Dufty spent a few years scoring some slashing tries for the Dragons, but he was on the opposite side of the field on Saturday as he reminded NRL fans he’s still got it with an opportunistic piece of play to cross before half-time.

The flashy fullback has returned to Australia after a stint in the Super League, and while he’s unlikely to play any first grade this year, he showed he still has it with a game-high 215 metres.

Setu Tu has probably done enough to earn a club debut in Vegas, but he’ll be having nightmares about an errant pass that led to the softest of South Sydney tries.

ROOKIE WATCH

The Rabbitohs have an all-star centre pairing ready to rip in this season, but it was great to see a couple of youngsters shine on the big stage with Talanoa Penitani and Latrell Siegwalt both scoring.

A very different Latrell will play left centre this year, but his namesake looked good with a lovely move to break the half-time deadlock, while Penitani gave it to Leilua in the first half and was rewarded with a try of his own.

HOT TAKE

If this is what Souths can do with most of their salary cap sitting in the stands alongside coach Wayne Bennett, then maybe they are set to end their lean run.

Finals must now be the pass mark for the Bunnies who get Payne Haas next year.

FINAL SAY

Flanagan will hope that this result is the wake-up call his side needed heading into the new season. They have a squad that will compete every week, but they know they can’t afford to clock off against anyone.

Their match at Allegiant Stadium could be season defining if they can upset the Bulldogs.

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TEAMS

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 20. David Fale 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hame Sele 14. Hamish Stewart 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Mathew Feagai 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Kade Reed 23. Jacob Halangahu 24. Hayden Buchanan

Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Talanoa Penitani 4. Latrell Siegwalt 5. Jordi Mazzone 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jonah Glover 8. Salesi Ataata 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Lachlan Hubner 11. Thomas Fletcher 12. Max McCarthy 13. Bronson Garlick 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Tevita Tatola 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Matthew Humphries 19. John Radel 20. Tim Johannssen 21. Elijah Keung 22. Jay Kirk 23. Nazareth Taua 24. William Afualo