Matt Burton converted to make it 6-6 at the break.
The second stanza turned into a stalemate with both sides coughing up errors and failing to capitalise on opportunities as the Bulldogs chose to rest stars Burton and Addo-Carr with 20 minutes left to play.
Come the 73rd minute and the Sharks finally broke the stalemate, making youngster Bailey Hayward pay for a loose ball from dummy half as they burst through and dashed away to score the match winner.
This loss, however, followed the Bulldogs’ fantastic, 24-12 victory over the Storm the previous week.
The Bulldogs will kick off their 2024 season in nine days on Saturday, March 9, from 5.30pm with a Sydney blockbuster against the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium.
Lose by whisker in clash with sharks
SCORES were deadlocked 6-6 for 40 minutes but unluckily for the new-look Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the Sharks scored a late try, snatching the 12-6 win at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday night.
After both sides traded sets, Bulldogs looked to hit back in the 31st minute when a steaming Josh Addo-Carr found new recruit Bronson Xerri in support before Cronulla pulled off a try-saver.
The Bulldogs finally capitalised when fan favourite Jacob Preston muscled his way over the line.
