Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders win

Penrith Panthers got their NRL campaign off to a winning start despite a determined late rally from Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Panthers were in cruise control after a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak double and tries to George Jennings and James Segeyaro handed them a 24-0 lead midway through the second half as the Bulldogs failed to fire.

However, Canterbury hit back through tries from Tim Browne, Curtis Rona and Brett Morris to drag the deficit back to six.

A penalty and knock-on gave last year's losing grand finalists a chance to tie the game, but a resolute Panthers defence kept a last-gasp attack at bay.

In Sunday's other fixture, Canberra Raiders ruined Ben Barba's Cronulla Sharks debut, prevailing 24-20 in a fiery affair at Remondis Stadium.

The Raiders feasted on a mountain of mistakes from the ill-disciplined Sharks, recording a confidence-boosting win on the road against a side expected to be one of the great improvers this year.

Cronulla were their own worst ememies, with Barba having a largely unhappy night along with fellow new recruit Mick Ennis.

Canberra full-back Jack Wighton and Sharks winger Sosaia Feki both spent time in the sin-bin midway through the second half after trading punches.

The Sharks went ahead for the first time on the back of the ensuing penalty before Sisa Waqa restored the visitors' lead with a soft try from dummy half.

And the Raiders withstood a late surge from their opponents to close out a deserved four-point win.