Dragons Coach Nathan Brown predicts the 24th Charity Shield will be one of the most keenly contested games of the season for his St George Illawarra Dragons as they clash with the Rabbitohs at Telstra Stadium this Saturday night.

Brown, entering his fifth season as first grade coach at the Club, believes the traditional clash could be the closest ever with both Clubs fielding strong teams in their final match before the 2007 Telstra Premiership begins on March 16.