KEY POINTS:
Wing Manu Vatuvei predictably got the chop from the Warriors as both they and the equally out-of-form Bulldogs prepare in desperation for Sunday's contest at Mt Smart Stadium.
Coach Ivan Cleary could not retain left wing Vatuvei after his problems under kick pressure against the Eels on Monday
night, and the return of Michael Crockett from injury gave him an option.
That swap is the one change made but others seem sure to follow quickly if wins do not come - the club will reach a point where it might as well throw in young blood and lose, as play the incumbents and lose.
Cleary did not blame Vatuvei for the loss at Parramatta, where the winger's blunders led to two tries and gave turnover ball for a third.
Vatuvei's Warriors teammates had faith in him too, Cleary said. "Every sportsman has bad patches, they know how he feels."
Vatuvei "always bounces back well", Cleary said.
He agreed the team named yesterday was mostly to do with meeting the deadline requirement from the NRL for all clubs to announce their weekend line-ups on Tuesday evening.
"I'm undecided what I'm going to do," he admitted about other changes.
The team had their rehab session in Sydney yesterday and were due to arrive in Auckland at 11 last night.
Cleary had yet to review the game tape. Plus prop Sam Rapira has a hand injury out of the Eels game which is yet to be properly assessed.
But they must still go for stability.
Cleary said the reason for the defeat at Parramatta was "ball control again, we turned it over too much, basic errors".
The Bulldogs have made two changes to the team beaten 24-16 by the Cowboys in Brisbane last weekend.
Cameron Phelps replaces the injured Andrew Emelio on the wing. Willie Mason is out with a hamstring injury and Lee Te Maari comes up from the bench to the second row, and Sonny Bill Williams shifts to lock.
There is rumoured to be a bust-up between Bulldogs team and management, with favourite locals Corey Hughes and Adam Perry said to be unhappy about being left without contract offers.
Three board members, including chairman George Peponis, are overseas and decisions on player signings are on hold until the board meets again next month.
But chief executive Malcolm Noad had a big shot at the Sydney media yesterday, taking point-by-point issue with claims of disharmony in the ranks.
"I hope these articles from the weekend papers reinforce to every Bulldogs supporter that you shouldn't believe everything you read," Noad commented at the end of his tirade, which is on the Bulldogs website at www.bulldogs.com.au
Unrest definitely rocks the Newcastle club, no doubt the reason for their record defeat by Brisbane last weekend. Coach Brian Smith is apparently embarking on a clean-out and first to go is prop Clint Newton, 25, son of former golfer Jack Newton. Forwards Adam Woolnough and Josh Perry and former Otahuhu centre George Carmont, who are off-contract, are all said to be on the outer too.
Knights senior players are expected to have a meeting with Smith to sort out problems.
Meanwhile, the club has bought Luke MacDougall from the Dragons.
The Broncos have put contract talks with Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan and Brent Tate on hold until they get the bye next week.
Tate, who has been linked to the Warriors, also has an offer from Australian rugby.