WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Canterbury have suffered a horror form slump which has seen them lose four of their last five games, with their only win during that period coming against a Panthers side that were resting 16 players in Round 26. <\/p>\n Anasta believes the Bulldogs may have missed out on a golden opportunity to win the club\u2019s first premiership since 2004, one which Anasta was a part of.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile they\u2019re planning for the long-term, have they taken their eyes off the short-term and possibly cost themselves a premiership?\u201d Anasta, the host of NRL 360, asked the panel.<\/p>\n Anasta made reference to his team that won the competition in 2004.<\/p>\n It was a side that boasted superstars like Mark O\u2019Meley, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan, Roy Asotasi, Sonny Bill Williams and Johnathan Thurston.<\/p>\n But even for that star-studded team, Anasta says their premiership window was tiny.<\/p>\n \u201cWe only had one or two, even in the team we had, chances of winning a premiership,\u201d Anasta added.<\/p>\n \u201cThe window for premierships are so small.<\/p>\n \u201cThe (2025 Bulldogs) were coming first. It\u2019s amazing. It\u2019s not a surprise to me that this story is so big.\u201d<\/p>\n Co-host Gorden Tallis also made reference to the 13-week period this season where the Bulldogs were on top of the competition ladder.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just looking at where they were halfway through the year,\u201d Tallis said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t broke.\u201d<\/p>\n For this Sunday\u2019s elimination semi-final against the Panthers at Accor Stadium, the Bulldogs have named Sexton at halfback for the first time since Round 19, with Lachlan Galvin shifting to five-eighth, and Matt Burton into the centres to replace injured captain Stephen Crichton, although Crichton is in the extended squad and an outside chance of playing.<\/p>\n Mahoney has been recalled to the team and named on the bench after he was dropped altogether from their qualifying final against the Storm.<\/p>\n Reporter Paul Crawley said the open nature of the competition means the Bulldogs\u2019 sole focus should be on the present, not the future.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this season in particular, we\u2019ve all spoken about the fact that, it\u2019s probably the closest competition that we can recall,\u201d Crawley added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there is no genuine standout team, and they\u2019re one of the six that are still fighting for the premiership.<\/p>\n \u201cSo why worry about next year?<\/p>\n \u201cWorry about now.\u201d<\/p>\n Journalist Andrew Webster agreed with Crawley.<\/p>\n \u201cWin it this year and next,\u201d Webster said.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Why I put my hand up in Walsh debate; Bellamy shows Dogs how it\u2019s done<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Broncos star suffers ACL injury in crushing Madge blow; Dogs\u2019 bench call<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n