Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney has shrugged off accusations he deliberately irritates opponents and vowed to continue defending his teammates.
The dummy-half was at the centre of another flashpoint late in Saturday's win over the Wests Tigers, Alex Seyfarth sin binned after appearing to head butt the hooker.
The melee came two weeks after an incident in the tunnel with Knights forward Jack Hetherington after he and Mahoney had been sent to the sin bin.
The Bulldogs hooker has been accused of attempting to bait larger opponents, however he claimed they were suffering from "big man syndrome" and declared he will not take a backward step.
"I'm just playing the footy I've been playing for the last five years," Mahoney said. "I don't worry about that sort of stuff. I go into those little scuffles because I'm there to protect my mates.
Mahoney chats to Fox Sports about Seyfarth scuffle
"That's what we're about here, protecting each other to the death. I'm just there to do that. I'm not there to start anything, I'm there to protect and stand up for my boys, that's how I see it."
The accusations come as Mahoney finds form on the field amid a resurgent Bulldogs team.
Canterbury claimed their second-straight win for the first time in more than 12 months on Saturday, defeating Wests Tigers 22-14 at Accor Stadium.
Mahoney has played a key role in their climb into the top eight.
The performances come after a challenging 2023, his first with the Bulldogs, but the hooker has now settled into his new surroundings and is ready to elevate his game.
"I'm getting back to the old me that I was a couple of years ago," Mahoney said. "Last year was a big change for me, moving clubs and becoming captain and all that. I tried a little bit too hard to try and create something.
"I'm just getting back to what I do best and that's working hard in [defence] and waiting for my opportunities in attack. I'll keep working on my game, I've got plenty of things I need to get better at, but I think I've been a lot more consistent in my game."
