Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows the AFL finals equation from here is simple: win and you're in.
But after last week's shock loss to Adelaide, the seventh-placed Dogs aren't taking anything for granted in Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
"I'm definitely not thinking that far ahead," Beveridge said of a possible finals campaign.
"We need to win this week and we'll work it out from there.
"You've got to earn the right to be able to talk about it and we haven't earned it yet.
"We've done a lot of work to get ourselves to a point where we're a chance and now we need to capitalise on it."
The Bulldogs had won four consecutive games before the horror 39-point road loss to the Crows, which Beveridge said served as "a little reminder of your own vulnerability".
They face an improved North outfit that are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, sitting 17th but with three wins since the mid-season bye.
"The only way that you can (approach it) is making sure that we are really ready for the Kangaroos," Beveridge said.
"We're coming off a week where we didn't get it right and this week's been all about moving into Sunday with a really narrow focus and absolute resolve to bring our very best, which has been pretty strong over a period of time."
Beveridge said Bulldogs spearhead Aaron Naughton will be fit to face North Melbourne despite a nagging knee complaint, but re-signed star Tim English (ankle) is out.
It means Sam Darcy will take on in-form Roos ruckman Tristan Xerri in what looms as an important duel.
"It's a great opportunity for (Darcy) to step up in that position," Beveridge said.
"We've just got to make sure that we pull the right levers to get the right result against a very, very good ruckman.
"Xerri's had an outstanding year and it's no surprise that he's being talked about as a possible All-Australian ruckman because he's a really dominant force at the stoppage, and a very physical, contested player.
"He played really well against us last time, so it's a big challenge for us."
Joel Frejah, Harvey Gallagher, Jack Macrae and James O'Donnell all return for the Bulldogs, with Nick Coffield, Riley Garcia and Caleb Poulter dropped.
North have lost young star Harry Sheezel (ankle) and managed Zane Duursma, and left out Will Phillips and Toby Pink.
George Wardlaw headlines the inclusions on return from concussion protocols, with Zac Fisher, Dylan Stephens and Kallan Dawson all named to play.
Beveridge will match the late Ted Whitten Snr's long-standing record of 228 games as Bulldogs coach on Sunday.
The 53-year-old is already the most successful coach in club history, with 128 wins at a 56.4 per cent success rate.
He also steered the Dogs to the drought-breaking 2016 premiership and has two grand final appearances from his decade-long stint at the helm.
