The Bulldogs have narrowly defeated the Sharks with a 15-14 victory in a thrilling golden point finish, thanks to a field goal from sharpshooter Matt Burton.

The Bulldogs dominated early, scoring two tries in the first 13 minutes of the game before the Sharks fought back to take the lead.

A mistake by Cameron McInnes in the first 30 seconds of the game gave the Bulldogs their first opportunity.

After a repeat set on the Sharks' line, Viliame Kikau put in a grubber kick, and some confusion over who would clean it up allowed the star second-rower to pounce on the live ball and score.

However, the Sharks soon responded through Briton Nikora, who scored under the posts to send his side into the halftime break down 12-6.

The Sharks came out firing in the second half, with Sione Katoa and Braydon Trindall scoring to take the lead.

A Burton penalty goal in the 78th minute—and some failed field goal attempts—sent the game into golden point.

Nicho Hynes, who had a rough night with his kicking, looked certain to slot a field goal from right in front but missed.

Then Burton got his chance, and fans at Accor Stadium held their breath as the ball hit the upright before going through to seal the win.

The star five-eighth nailed his two conversions, which proved to be crucial given the Bulldogs scored one less try than the Sharks, and he slotted a penalty goal in the final two minutes to send the game to golden point.

Then, after a couple of failed field goal attempts, Burton did what only Burton could do—his match-winner hit the right upright before going through and sealing the win.

Fox League’s Greg Alexander was in awe of Burton’s composure in the moment but was impressed with his overall game too.

“Apart from his boot, he had a very good game.

He ran the ball judiciously, he picked his times well, he defended well, and he’s a very important member of the Dogs’ edge defense that they’ve nailed.

” Meanwhile, champion halfback Cooper Cronk—who kicked 21 field goals in his 372-game career—was full of praise for Burton’s kicking game.

“Geez, he hits the ball sweetly.

Whether it’s a drop goal, whether it’s a conversion, or whether it’s general play kicking… he makes sweet contact with the ball, and he’s done that multiple times for the Dogs,” he said.

Nicho Hynes has had a tough few weeks.

He didn’t deliver at halfback in Origin I, was dropped for Origin II, and now is paying the price for a rough night with his kicking.

Hynes only slotted one of his three conversion attempts—a big reason why the game went to golden point.

Cronulla’s star No.

7 then had an opportunity to seal the win with a field goal 20 meters out, but it went to the left.

“Nicho Hynes will have to pull himself up off the canvas again; he missed an absolute sitter there that eventually cost them the game,” Cooper Cronk said post-game.

Meanwhile, James Graham conceded, “you do have to feel for Nicho” given the last tackle prior to the field goal attempt was five meters out from the line.

But he added, “he really should be nailing that.

” Cronk agreed that it’s “not ideal” that Siosifa Talakai’s tackle was so close but said, “no excuses, he should’ve kicked that one.

”The Bulldogs have won four of their past five games and now sit fifth following Friday’s result in a rise that has them primed for their first finals appearance since 2016.

“That is stunning, and they’ve got their eyes on the top four.

They’re just sitting outside of it now,” Greg Alexander said of the Bulldogs’ “remarkable” win.

“Their defense is something we need to mention.

We talk about it every game, and it gets better and better.

They were tested on the edges, but they had the answers.

”Meanwhile, the Sharks have lost four of their past five games—and for a team that looked a genuine chance for the minor premiership last month, that’s a huge red flag.

A slow start once again came back to bite them after conceding 12 points in the first 15 minutes.

They came out on a mission in the second half and took the lead but ultimately couldn’t ice their opportunity to win the game.