'What were you doing?': Tensions threaten to boil over after Jacob Kiraz's shoulder charge as Bulldogs hold on

Jacob Kiraz and Braidon Burns almost came to blows in the Bulldogs's 12-8 win over the Cowboys.

With 14 minutes left in the second half, Kiraz came from the outside to jam in on Burns off a sweeping back play.

However, the Bulldogs winger had his positioning all wrong and turned his body completely for a shoulder charge.

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Burns came to a complete stand still awaiting the penalty as Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney came to complete the tackle.

Kiraz and Burns then went toe to toe in a simple exchange of jersey grabbing.

Replays showed Kiraz's indiscretion with caller Andrew Voss saying "Kiraz, what were you doing?"

Michael Ennis added: "He just lost all technique didn't he? ... He took a real disliking to it, Braidon Burns, and so to Kiraz."

Unsurprisingly, Kiraz on Sunday morning was cited by the match review committee, but fined only $1000.

Earlier, the Bulldogs dropped Lachlan Galvin for tactical reasons and were down for the majority of the first half when Zac Laybutt scored in the 15th minute and Scott Drinkwater slotted a penalty goal.

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However, the men in blue and white were back in business with two late tries to Jacob Preston and Jethro Rinakama on debut.

In the second half, neither side showed much attacking might with a number of penalties and dropped ball.

The Cowboys had the last throw of the dice on full time when Tom Dearden kicked for the corner but Murray Taulagi wasn't quick enough with Kiraz sending the ball dead and sealing the win.