South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis has made a successful return, however an injury to Alex Johnston has given the Rabbitohs headaches after their 22-18 NRL trial win over St George Illawarra.

Inglis enjoyed a 19-minute cameo in the Charity Shield match on Saturday night at Mudgee in NSW’s central west. It was his first game after almost a year out with a knee injury.

While the sight of Inglis stretching out would have heartened new coach Anthony Seibold, it was offset after fullback Johnston left the field with what appeared to be a rib injury.

After being crunched by Dragons recruit James Graham in the first half, Johnston failed to return to the field and was seen receiving treatment from Rabbitohs staff in the sheds.

Dragons fullback Matt Dufty continued his fine pre-season form when he fired through a hole to give his side a 10-6 lead after 19 minutes.

Damien Cook ensured he would start the year in the Rabbitohs’ No.9 jersey with another dynamic performance and outpointing Robbie Farah again.

After Cook split open the Dragons’ defence and ran 50 metres in the 30th minute, he found Angus Crichton – playing his first game after having off-season surgery to amputate a finger – close to the line to score.

And when Dane Gagai set up Robert Jennings, Souths had the lead for the first time at 16-12.

Souths struggled in attack last year however looked dynamic after being given free rein by Seibold and they put on a scintillating four-pointer as John Sutton turned back the clock to send Cody Walker over.

A Leeson Ah Mau try in the 72nd minute made things interesting but the Rabbitohs did enough to win their sixth-successive Charity Shield.