Geelong coach Chris Scott is adamant his team need to improve if they are to win this year's AFL premiership, saying it's "inevitable" that bad luck will rear its ugly head.
The Cats (13-4) sit on top of the ladder on the back of an eight-match winning run, and they are set to start as favourites in each of their final five games - against Port Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Gold Coast, and West Coast.
A top-two finish is well and truly Geelong's for the taking, with a deep run in September beckoning.
But Scott is adamant his team can't expect to win the flag if they merely maintain their current form.
"If we improve, I believe that (we can go all the way)," Scott said ahead of Saturday's clash with the Power at Adelaide Oval.
"If we stay where we are, I don't think that will be good enough.
"We would expect the best teams to all get better over the next couple of months. If we don't at least keep up with that, we're going to be in trouble."
With a new wave of COVID-19 hitting AFL clubs, Scott is bracing for some hits.
He's also well aware that injuries can play a huge role in the fortunes of a team.
With all that in mind, Scott is determined to ensure his team have enough depth to get them through any challenges.
"There are things that are often beyond your control," Scott said.
"I'm not oblivious to the role luck plays in that as well.
"History is a pretty good guide. You kind of need to flush the last six weeks, you need to nail it.
"You're kidding yourself if you think that with the whole COVID situation and the way the world is working at the moment (that everything will be smooth).
"If you think that everything is going to be perfect for the last couple of months, you are setting a pretty high bar.
"We don't want to price it for perfection. We understand we're going to have some issues, so we need enough depth, we need enough contingencies to adjust when the inevitable bad luck comes."
The Cats will be without Sam Menegola (concussion) against Port, but Brandan Parfitt could return after recovering from a broken hand and COVID-19.
