Sam Burgess headlines South Sydney Rabbitohs squad for Charity Shield at Mudgee

The Bunnies paid tribute to the longest-serving Rabbitoh in club history last weekend with the John Sutton Testimonial clash at Redfern Oval against Penrith - which ended up being a 28-8 win for Ivan Cleary's Panthers - but the biggest stars at Wayne Bennett's disposal only played a handful of minutes in Souths' first trial of the new year.

That will change at Mudgee though.

Burgess is expecting to start Saturday's Charity Shield at Glen Willow as he tackles his transition from middle-forward to edge backrower.

"Obviously wet conditions (against Penrith) and on the edge you don't see as much ball, but it was a good 20 minutes. Did enough. I'll get a few more minutes next week," he anticipated.

While Burgess said young-gun lock Cameron Murray will also be another welcome addition to the starting side for the Mudgee clash against the Dragons, as Souths looks to up the intensity in the lead-up to a round one showdown with defending premiers the Roosters on March 15.

"(The goal was to) get a few miles in the legs in game intensity, rather than start the game (against Penrith)," he added.

The form of Damien Cook, Cody Walker and two-try winger Jacob Gagan were positives for a Souths, a side well-placed in 2019 after a loss in last year's preliminary final ended their 2018 campaign.

While Corey Allen is another young star who impressed and will likely get plenty of game time in the Rabbitohs backs in 2019.

"I think he'll be good for us this year. He's got some speed and he's exciting. He's normally a fullback but he'll do a good job for us on the wing," Burgess said.

"To be successful you need people to come through and we've got five or six in that category. The opportunity is there and up for them to take it."

Souths take on the Dragons in the Charity Shield on Saturday at Mudgee.