Finals football has eluded Schulz since he was drafted by Richmond with pick No. 12 at the 2002 NAB AFL Draft.
But it appears 2013 might be Schulz's season with the Power a win away from all but securing a place in the top eight.
The club sits a game ahead of ninth-place Carlton and will pull another four points clear should it beat Adelaide on Sunday and the Blues lose to fifth-placed Fremantle.
Bring on the biff
Schulz said he had waited his entire career to feature at the business end of the season, but that the key to securing the Power's finals ticket was to keep the side's focus narrow.
"It's not just about me, it's a team sport – I mean I want it, more than you could imagine," Schulz said.
"I've been disappointed for 10 years about not playing finals so it's taught me you can only focus on week by week.
"There's only one way to get there and that's by winning each week, that's what you have to focus on and whatever happens, happens."
Schulz has been in great form again this season, particularly last weekend against the Brisbane Lions when he played a vital role in the Power's 10th win of the season.
He has averaged two goals a game this year, and the triple-threat attack of Schulz, Justin Westhoff and John Butcher that is starting to look ominous.
The 28-year-old has played a significant amount of football alongside Westhoff and said Butcher too was beginning to jel after three straight games under his belt.
"Having the three talls there, we find, is better for us," he said.
"Me and Westy have played a fair bit of footy together now, we know generally how each other plays and that's always an advantage, and now throwing 'Butch' in there as well …
"We're learning how he plays and he's learning from us, the more we play together the more we realise how each other moves and leading patterns … which makes it harder for defenders.
"He's as good [on the ground] as some of our smaller guys - as long as he's got the aggression that he shows each week at the ball, he's going to be a fantastic player for us."
Schulz said he had waited his entire career to feature at the business end of the season, but that the key to securing the Power's finals ticket was to keep the side's focus narrow.
"It's not just about me, it's a team sport – I mean I want it, more than you could imagine," Schulz said.
"I've been disappointed for 10 years about not playing finals so it's taught me you can only focus on week by week.
"There's only one way to get there and that's by winning each week, that's what you have to focus on and whatever happens, happens."
Schulz has been in great form again this season, particularly last weekend against the Brisbane Lions when he played a vital role in the Power's 10th win of the season.
He has averaged two goals a game this year, and the triple-threat attack of Schulz, Justin Westhoff and John Butcher that is starting to look ominous.
The 28-year-old has played a significant amount of football alongside Westhoff and said Butcher too was beginning to jel after three straight games under his belt.
"Having the three talls there, we find, is better for us," he said.
"Me and Westy have played a fair bit of footy together now, we know generally how each other plays and that's always an advantage, and now throwing 'Butch' in there as well …
"We're learning how he plays and he's learning from us, the more we play together the more we realise how each other moves and leading patterns … which makes it harder for defenders.
"He's as good [on the ground] as some of our smaller guys - as long as he's got the aggression that he shows each week at the ball, he's going to be a fantastic player for us."
Crows set to turn to former Swan
The Power take on an injury-hit Crows outfit on Sunday in Showdown XXXV.
While Patrick Dangerfield and Ben Rutten are significant inclusions, the losses of Josh Jenkins, Rory Sloane and possibly Shaun McKernan hurt.
But Schulz said he wouldn't be tricked into underestimating Adelaide.
"It's the ones that are coming into the side that you've got to worry about; you can't be worried about who's not playing," he said.
"All of a sudden we have to put all of our knowledge into them to find out how to shut down their players coming in."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
The Power take on an injury-hit Crows outfit on Sunday in Showdown XXXV.
While Patrick Dangerfield and Ben Rutten are significant inclusions, the losses of Josh Jenkins, Rory Sloane and possibly Shaun McKernan hurt.
But Schulz said he wouldn't be tricked into underestimating Adelaide.
"It's the ones that are coming into the side that you've got to worry about; you can't be worried about who's not playing," he said.
"All of a sudden we have to put all of our knowledge into them to find out how to shut down their players coming in."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
