Sam Williams will get first crack at halfback for St George Illawarra this NRL season, with injury-prone talent Kyle Stanley to be used off the bench as a utility.

Williams has been named in the No.7 for the Dragons’ Charity Shield clash against South Sydney at WIN Stadium on Saturday, and all things going well will line-up alongside Melbourne recruit Gareth Widdop in the halves for round one.

Dragons fullback Josh Dugan played several seasons with 22-year-old Williams at Canberra and says the Cooma product will bring a good kicking and running game to the red V.

St George Illawarra’s attack never got going last season and the decision was made to cut grand final-winning half Jamie Soward adrift and start anew.

Williams was never able to establish a consistent first grade start at the Raiders, but Dugan is confident he’ll be able to ignite the Dragons’ backline again.

“We grew up together playing in the under-20s so we’ve got that combination,” said Dugan.

“The different structure (at the Dragons) and the more free-running stuff I think will (suit) him.

“Sammy’s game is running to the line and he’s got a good dummy so I think he’ll excel with the structure we’ve got this year.

“Basically we’ve got two international wingers (in Brett Morris and Jason Nightingale), so we want to try and get the ball to them a bit more and use them.”

Stanley is coming off another knee reconstruction last year and has played hooker in the trial matches.

He’ll come off the bench and relieve No.9 Mitch Rein as coach Steve Price eases him back into regular football.

Dragons’ Charity Shield team: Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Gerard Beale, Dylan Farrell, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Sam Williams, Jack de Belin, Mitch Rein, Ben Creagh (capt), Joel Thompson, Leeson Ah Mau, Trent Merrin. Interchange: Kyle Stanley, Jack Stockwell, Mike Cooper, Bronson Harrison, Tyson Frizell, Dan Hunt.