NRL: Cronulla Sharks beaten by Canberra Raiders

Cronulla Sharks 16-game unbeaten run was snapped on Saturday as the NRL leaders were displaced from top spot after losing 30-14 on home soil to Canberra Raiders.

The Sharks won 15 games on the spin before last weekend's 18-18 draw with Gold Coast Titans, but they had no answer to the Raiders - inspired by Josh Hodgson.

Jordan Rapana and Jack Wighton scores sandwiched James Maloney's self-converted try as the Raiders started strongly, before Hodgson intervened spectacularly to put the visitors in control.

The Canberra number nine flew through the Sharks defence from a ruck, dummying his way into space before bobbling a grubber through for Rapana to dot down - Jarrod Croker adding the extras and a penalty goal to put Canberra 20-8 up at the interval.

Croker again split the posts nine minutes into the second half to extend Canberra's lead beyond two scores, though Paul Gallen cut the deficit after Andrew Fifita's persistent play.

Hopes of a comeback were dashed when Blake Austin was awarded a try from the bunker, with Croker's third penalty capping the Raiders sixth win in sequence and stunning the home crowd.

Melbourne Storm now sit atop the ladder after a golden-point victory over the hapless South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Souths have now lost nine games in a row, though they looked set to lift the funk when they led 14-12 heading into the final minute.

However, Damien Cook was whistled for upending Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith forced the extra period, before breaking Souths hearts with a match-winning drop-goal for Melbourne.

Newcastle Knights racked up a club-record 14th defeat on the spin as they went down 28-14 to Canterbury Bulldogs.

Canterbury were 14-2 up at half-time through Michael Lichaa and Josh Morris scores, but Newcastle were level 10 minutes into the second half as Brendon Elliot grabbed a quickfire double.

However, Bulldogs hero Sam Kasiano titled the balance back in their favour, charging down a kick to set Moses Mbye on his way to score and Sam Perrett's try in the closing stages wrapped up the Knights' ignominious place in history.