FOUR of Melbourne's final six games for 2018 are against teams in the top eight, and vice-captain Max Gawn says it's now time for his side to deliver and claim multiple wins against the competition's top sides.
As of round 17, the Demons are yet to defeat a team inside the top eight, but have a golden opportunity to snap that streak against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night and, in the process, build much-needed momentum heading into the last five weeks of the season.
"It's a well-timed question because North (Melbourne) just slipped out of the eight didn't they?" Gawn said.
"It's not talked about in-house. We certainly had some good performances, especially against Port Adelaide (in round 14) where we probably could have (won).
"We don't think we need a big scalp to call ourselves a good team.
"But we definitely need one in the next six weeks otherwise we're not going to make finals. Geelong's a good start."
Following the trip to Geelong, Melbourne has clashes against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Gold Coast at the MCG, Sydney at the MCG, West Coast at Optus Stadium and Greater Western Sydney at the MCG to round out the season.
Gawn missed a very gettable set-shot against the Cats in the dying seconds when the teams clashed in the opening round of the season, with Geelong holding on for a three-point victory.
The star big man hopes he can redeem that error against the Cats this time around.
"I'm more than happy to be involved in the same situation again. I don't know how I would react on the Monday if it doesn't go my way again, but we're pretty excited to face Geelong," Gawn said.
"We're pretty keen to get down the highway."
Gawn has been in superb form this season, with the ruckman leading voting in the AFL Coaches' Association award.
The ruck masterclass he put on against the Western Bulldogs last Saturday even has some commentators suggesting he could become the first genuine ruckman since Scott Wynd in 1992 to win the Brownlow Medal.
"I don't necessarily think I am. It's not something I'm thinking about to be honest," Gawn said when asked if he could win the prestigious award.
"We don't play footy for the individual awards, and it's certainly not on the forefront of my mind.
"We've got six weeks before I'm potentially playing my first finals game, so that's my focus."
CAN MAX WIN IT? Check out the Brownlow Predictor
Nathan Jones will captain Melbourne for the 100th time against Geelong, and said his teammate should be in the running to win the Brownlow.
"His season has been unbelievable. It's hard to compare really, particularly as a ruckman, but there's no doubt he deserves to be in consideration and held in the same regard as the best players in the competition," Jones said.
"If you take into consideration his impact on the game, not only his ruck craft, but his impact around the ground … scoring goals and winning possession, I don't see why not."
Jones and Gawn were on hand as Melbourne launched its Field of Women game set to take place against the Swans in round 21 on Sunday August 12.
Thousands of people will stand together on the MCG in the shape of the Pink Lady before the Melbourne and Sydney match to represent the 18,235 Australians who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.
