South Sydney has broken a 10-year hoodoo with a 36-12 upset victory over Cronulla in the NRL match at Aussie Stadium highlighted by a hat-trick of tries to Rabbitohs winger Luke MacDougall.

The Rabbitohs had not beaten Cronulla since 1994 but they completely outplayed and dominated their opposition in front of more than 11,000 fans.

Second-rower Justin Smith and halfback Willie Peters also shone for Souths, who will be equal first on the competition ladder, at least for the next 24 hours.

Sharks five-eighth Greg Bird didn't help his team's cause when he was sent off by referee Tony Archer for kneeing winger Shane Marteene in the head with Cronulla trailing 12-22 in the 66th minute.

Just one minute later the Rabbitohs took advantage of Bird's dismissal when MacDougall secured his double.

Souths led 26-12 and it was all over four minutes later when Marteene bagged his own try.

MacDougall got a hat-trick of second half tries - all scored in the left corner - two minutes before fulltime as Souths pulled off a deserved 24-point victory.

The Sharks were dealt a further blow when utility Michael Sullivan was placed on report for a high shot on Rabbitohs centre Adam MacDougall in the 65th minute.

Their coach Stuart Raper will be furious with his team's ill-discipline as the Sharks were caned 14-4 in the penalty count.

Souths held a surprise 18-12 halftime lead following tries to Justin Smith (21m), Brett Kearney (31m) and Mark Minichiello, who crossed one second before the break.

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