The Dees are just six points outside the top eight after defeating Essendon, the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions in their past three games.
However, they’re trying to avoid any talk of qualifying for the September action.
“I know it sounds boring but we’re really focusing on maintaining our form at the moment and putting in a good one against Richmond,” Sylvia said at AAMI Park on Monday.
“It’s a real danger game for us, as they’re in good form - won six of their last nine games.
“We definitely have to bring the right mentality and appetite this weekend to have another win.”
Sylvia credits a robust mid-season review with helping Melbourne arrest the form slide that saw it win only one match between rounds six and 14.
“We sat down and said we really wanted to get the most out of the last eight weeks of the year,” Sylvia said.
“I reckon we definitely have [to this point], but it can change so easily, so quickly in this game.”
Sylvia plays his 100th game on Sunday, and he’s currently in career-best form.
The 24-year-old collected 31 possessions and kicked two goals up in Brisbane in a best-on-ground performance.
“It’s good to string a few together and play in a winning team and really see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
“The club’s really been in a black hole, so it’s good to see we’re slowly digging our way out of it. It’s an exciting time around the place.”
The Demons are set to be boosted by a number of key inclusions for their match against the Tigers, with Brent Moloney, Jack Trengove and Matthew Bate all a chance to be recalled.
Moloney has been out with a thigh injury, while Trengove and Bate were both impressive contributors for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL on the weekend.
“When you start winning a few games, the team becomes quite hard to pick,” Sylvia said.
“It’s going to be tough this week.”
