On the back of a penalty against Reed Mahoney, the Rabbitohs scored first in the ninth minute.
Come the 25th minute and the Bulldogs hit back when Viliame Kikau put Josh Addo-Carr into space and Burton posted his first try of the season.
A huge 40-20 kick by Burton put the Bulldogs in range and they came up with a pearler of a try through Connor Tracey. Burton converted to put the blue and whites up 12-10.
On the stroke of half-time Addo-Carr was ruled out of the game under concussion protocols after a Rabbitoh made contact.
Five minutes into the second half the Rabbitohs regained the lead, with Jacob Preston then leaving the field for a HIA.
More drama in the 51st minute when Kurt Morrin was sin binned and two minutes later the Rabbitohs went up 18-12 through a penalty goal and then another, making it 20-12.
A last-minute try to Tracey made it 20-16 and the Bulldogs had 20 seconds to conjure a miracle but the Bunnies held on.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said: “We’re a team that has a lot of effort at the moment and that’s a massive improvement but at some stage we are going to need to execute better.”
The Bulldogs look set to be without Addo-Carr when they face the Roosters at Accor Stadium from 6pm on Friday.
Other results: The Knock On Effect Cup, Bulldogs 22 d Rabbitos 20; Jersey Flegg Cup, Bulldogs 30 d Rabbitohs 12; UNE Harold Matthews Cup, Bulldogs 32 d Storm 28; UNE S G Ball Cup, Bulldogs 40 d Storm 6; Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup, Bulldogs 64 d Dragons 0; and Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup, Bulldogs 98 d Dragons 0.
Hopping mad after slim loss
A DETERMINED Bulldogs had clawed their way to the lead but ultimately went down 20-16 to the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium in the traditional clash on Good Friday.
