From news.com.au   15 January 2001




Piggins: no more Charity


GEORGE Piggins declared yesterday there was no chance of the Souths-St George Charity Shield clash being staged again.


Even if the Rabbitohs got a team together, or were re-admitted to this year's competition, Piggins said there was no way the club would be playing the Dragons.


"The Dragons ... they sold us out," Piggins said.


"They gave a sworn affidavit in court saying we would be detrimental to the game if we got back in the comp.


"No, I wouldn't be interested in doing anything with them even if we were back in the competition. I'd much rather play Newcastle in a Charity Shield than that mob."


The annual Charity Shield game between Souths and St George used to be one of the highlights of the league calendar.


Although it was a pre-season game, the football was always fierce and the crowds always big. Charity Shield meant football was back for another season.


Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said he hadn't given any thought to playing a put-together Souths outfit.


"With the rule changes for this year, Andrew Farrar is anxious for us to take our trials seriously," Doust said.


As it is, the Rabbitohs are gearing up for their Legends of League charity day at Redfern on February 3, featuring a number of original NSWRL teams -- including Newtown.