The Sharks rallied again with two late four-pointers – finishing with five tries to four – but goal-kicking ultimately proved the difference in the NRL curtain raiser.

Gabrael, a member of Cronulla’s NRL training squad who represented the NSW under 19s last month, faced his former team and enjoyed an outstanding first half.

The promising outside back joined the Sharks over the summer from the Bulldogs, where he played alongside his sibling and fellow speedster Danny.

While the pair were stationed on opposite sides, Cronulla’s Gabrael – unmissable in hot pink boots – ensured his presence was felt early in the under-21s clash.

The Sharks struck first when winger Kristian Dixon acrobatically grounded the ball after flying onto a well-floated cut-out pass from halfback Riley Pollard.

After repeated penalties from Canterbury, culminating in the sin-binning of flanker Ratu Rinakama, Cronulla pressed their advantage when Gabrael exploded through the defence to touch down in the 11th minute. Pollard added the extras.

Gabrael was soon at it again, using his speed to burn the Bulldogs on the outside before linking with five-eighth Taj Ford, who threw the final pass for Te Wehi Waitere to score in the corner. Pollard couldn’t convert, leaving the score at 14-0.

The Bulldogs had a try disallowed for obstruction but weren’t to be denied when Rinakama crossed after his inside men created an overlap on the right edge.

He then claimed a double early in the second half, with another sideline goal from Ragarive Wavik leaving Canterbury just two points behind at 14-12.

Moments later, the visitors surged ahead when fullback Taye Cochrane proved too elusive as he snapped back on an angle. It was one-way traffic at this stage, with Cronulla down by 10 after Wavik converted his own try in the 49th minute.