KEY POINTS:
It's been a long time since there was anything like peace and stability in the Bulldogs kennel.
On Monday, after conducting the video review of the Dogs' loss to the Roosters, coach Steve Folkes told his players "and there's another thing". He then announced, almost as an afterthought, that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, the latest casualty of the NRL's coaching cull.
Since 2004 the Bulldogs' story has been one of salary cap rorts, allegations of sexual assault by players, repeat drink-drive incidents, board room ructions and - in Folkes' case recently - continued sniping and rumours he was about to be sacked.
Folkes played 245 games and in 11 years as coach has prepared the team for a further 268 so he is a club legend.
The Bulldogs' internal ructions will be of special interest to the Warriors.
When these sorts of coaching changes are announced the players respond in one of two ways - either they lie down and roll over in abject defeat or they rise to heroic heights and beat teams they shouldn't.
Three teams heard of coaching changes last week - the Dragons couldn't get up for Nathan Brown at the weekend nor the Raiders for Neil Henry, but news of Henry's contract with North Queensland from 2009 may have spurred the Cowboys to their first win this season.
It's hard to see the Dogs being in the playoff eight at the end of this season.
Favourite to take over is Folkes' assistant since 2004, his brother-in-law and former chairman Peter Moore's son Kevin. The club will want to make a quick appointment so off-contract players can be assured of who will be in charge and they'll want to make an attractive one so players from other clubs will want to sign on.
Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten must pass a fitness test on a damaged shoulder in order to play against the Warriors at Mt Smart on Sunday.
Both clubs yesterday named teams very similar to those fielded last weekend, prop Justin Tsoulos back in the Bulldogs front row after injury, replacing Kane Cleal who has a groin tear, and representative player Reni Maitua added to a five-man bench which will be cut on game day.
The home team retain Ryan Shortland at centre. They make just one positional switch, coach Ivan Cleary's relegation of Logan Swann to the bench last weekend apparently sparking the right reaction as he is back in the starting line-up and Sonny Fai goes to the bench.
Warriors
Lance Hohaia, Patrick Ah Van, Brent Tate, Ryan Shortland, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki (captain), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck.
Interchange: Ian Henderson, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sonny Fai.
Bulldogs
Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Tim Winitana, Willie Tonga, Heka Nanai, Ben Roberts, Daniel Holdsworth, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Justin Tsoulos, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (capt), Lee Te Maari.
Interchange: Chris Armit, Brad Morrin, Danny Williams, Brad Morrin, Michael Sullivan, Reni Maitua (two to be omitted)
