Latrell Mitchell starred for the Rabbitohs and provided the game-breaking moment when he sent a team mate over after scores were locked at 28-28 close to full-time.
It was a see-sawing contest until Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr had to leave the field with a glute problem around the same time the Rabbitohs started to come out on top.
The Rabbitohs struck first but Canterbury hit back four minutes later.
Mitchell enjoyed a personal battle with incumbent NSW centre Matt Burton throughout the evening, putting the Bulldogs five-eighth on his backside twice with ball in hand.
The Rabbitohs fullback then lit up with a strong individual effort before Canterbury returned serve through Jake Averillo and Paul Vaughan to keep the game in the balance until the final minutes.
Bulldogs coach Mick Potter said Souths did exactly what he thought they’d do. “They executed really well and we just couldn’t slow them down,” he said.
“I thought our boys played some good footy to counter and scored five tries but the problem is they scored seven and that’s too many.
“We did improve our defence … but again the game is 80 minutes and we’ve got to be more resilient.”
The Bulldogs take on the Titans from 2pm on Sunday at CommBank Stadium.
Snatch win from Dogs
THERE were many highs for Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs before South Sydney upped the ante in the final minutes to steal a 36-28 win in a thriller at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.