The Jersey Flegg Sharks squandered a handy first half lead in going down to the Bulldogs in their elimination final at Leichhardt Oval.
Ahead 22-8 at the break, the Bulldogs came out with more intent and intensity in the second 40 minutes, before eventually running away with the game in winning by 38-30.
It was a disappointing end for a Sharks side which had finished the regular season in fourth place, before getting the better of the Wests Tigers in week one of the finals.
The Sharks were on the board early against the Bulldogs, a Callum Grantham penalty goal putting them up 2-0, before Pharrell Gray finished off backline movement to post his teams first try.
It was the 22nd try in his 22nd match this season for the Sharks winger.
The Bulldogs crossed for their first try of the match soon after and it was then another of the Sharks prolific try scorers in Richard Whalebone, the try converted by Grantham and it was 12-4 Sharks.
Again, some sloppy handling invited the Bulldogs back into an attacking position and again they were able to capitalise, however the attempt at the extra two again swung wide.
Responding once more the Sharks would add to their advantage before half time, centre Elijah Paea touching down wide out, then increasing his teams lead with the siren sounding, Prestyn Laine-Sietu ran onto a well-timed Ollie Lester pass to go over untouched.
At 22-8 the under-21 Sharks seemed well in control.
That proved, however, to be far from the case, playing with a renewed intensity and aggression, the Bulldogs managed to get on top early, while maintaining the momentum.
Tries in the 42nd, 48th, 56th, 62nd and 65th minute, coming through a combination of poor Sharks defence and enterprising Bulldogs attack, all converted by Canterbury five eighth Bronson Reuben, and the match was as good as over for the Sharks who now trailed 38-22 with just a little over 10 minutes of the game remaining.
Late tries to Grantham and Laine-Sietu brought some respectability to the final scoreline, but it was too little too late for the young Cronulla team.
Despite the disappointing exit, the Sharks enjoyed a solid season while unearthing a number of future prospects.
