The Sharks rebounded from back-to-back thumpings by Penrith and the Dolphins with victory on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium, subsequently avoiding their worst start to an NRL season since 2020.
The teams went tit-for-tat in scoring, but it was Cronulla's rampant start that proved the difference as they capitalised on a Corey Horsburgh sin bin.
Stuart said the penalty for the prop's dumping tackle on Nicho Hynes was the right call, but he was left to rue the 13 errors his side coughed up.
"It was a massive head-start for them. They scored 12 points in their first four or five minutes," the coach said.
"Our biggest issue is self-destruction. It's happened in three out of our last four games.
"We're not giving ourselves an even chance to test ourselves against the opposition. Until we do (change), we won't win footy again."
Canberra had been hoping for revenge after Cronulla dumped the Green Machine out of last season's finals.
The Raiders (1-3) slumped to their third consecutive loss, obviously missing inspirational captain Josh Papali'i (suspension), although Xavier Savage shone, running for 158 metres, making three line breaks and scoring a try.
Fullback Kaeo Weekes also scored a four-pointer and ran 163 metres, while the rampaging Noah Martin claimed a game-high 41 tackles.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon was relieved his side had lifted after their past two performances as five-eighth Braydon Trindall dazzled with booming kicks and three try assists.
"I was just happy to come down and put on a performance that was much improved," Fitzgibbon said.
"The most important thing that the team can do is get reconnected and get back to playing some good footy."
Canberra had a horror start when Horsburgh was sent to the bin in the fourth minute, and the Sharks capitalised twice through second-rower Teig Wilton and centre KL Iro.
Once Horsburgh returned, the Raiders settled and were rewarded when Savage tore down the right flank before handing the ball to Weekes, who crashed over the line.
Both teams exchanged tries as the Sharks took an 18-12 advantage into halftime, before Canberra found the first four-pointer after the break when Weekes floated a ball to winger Savelio Tamale, who crossed.
The Sharks hit back through Sam Stonestreet, before Savage equalised when he snuck down the line after a Simi Sasagi touch in the 56th minute.
But Cronulla had the last laugh when Trindall threw an offload to William Kennedy, before Jesse Colquhoun iced victory after making the most of a Martin drop.
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