South Sydney and the Bulldogs fought out a thrilling 21-all draw in their NRL match at Sydney Showground.

In the first golden-point match of the season, the Bulldogs could not find the winning edge despite having four field goal attempts in front of a captivated crowd of 8,911.

In a huge blow to the Bulldogs, superstar Sonny Bill Williams could be sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury in his comeback match following a nine-week stint on the sideline.

The 19-year-old Williams tore his lateral meniscal in his right knee in his first hit-up of the game after coming off the bench in the 26th minute.

The Kiwi international will undergo an MRI scan on Monday to determine the extent of the tear. A club official estimated he would miss three to eight weeks.

Williams was returning from an ankle injury he sustained against Cronulla in round four.

The wisdom of playing Williams is sure to be questioned as the Bulldogs have a bye next weekend.

The classy back-rower looked a forlorn figure as he gingerly limped his way into the players' tunnel shortly before the break.

The Bulldogs thought they had scored the match-winning try in the first period of extra time when centre Cameron Phelps grounded the ball over the line following a Brent Sherwin field goal attempt which sprayed right.

But the video referee ruled that centre Jamaal Lolesi, who scored two tries in his 100th first grade match, was off-side in the play and Souths were awarded a penalty.

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