Click here to watch CTV's The Weekend That Was with Adrian Fletcher

Assistant coach Adrian Fletcher believes Collingwood’s first half against Melbourne was proof the side is capable of playing at a standard which will trouble any team, but four-quarter performances will be needed.

Speaking on CTV’s weekly match review show The Weekend That Was at the Lexus Centre on Monday, Fletcher accepted that a finals berth is not yet sewn up, but the club has given itself every chance of experiencing September action with two rounds remaining.

“There are still two games to go and about six teams fighting for that last position in the eight, but at the moment we’re in there, and in there with a good show,” Fletcher said.

He also acknowledged the improved output of his midfield group in the 11-point victory over Melbourne, but knows the players need to produce a more consistent performance to compete with the top sides.

“It was a great effort by all. Burnsy stood out, Pendlebury coming back from his layoff. We put Leon Davis in there, we’ve actually stepped up his opportunities to play through the midfield.

“Thomas played through there for the first time for six to eight weeks, so we’re starting to get a group that we think can match it with the elite teams going around.

“The first half was fantastic, but we’ve got to make sure we have four quarters to compete in the finals series.”

The ability of the entire playing group to perform for senior coach Mick Malthouse, after the veteran coach’s father passed away during the week, also gained praise from Fletcher.

“It was hard for Mick as his father passed away early in the week, but the boys rallied, and it was an outstanding effort to have the grieving and then come and coach on the Friday, and the boys lifted for him.

“The first half showed, when we’re really up in our intensity and hitting the ball hard, winning the hard ball gets, we match it with any side in the competition, but as soon as we drop away form that, we allow the opposition to get a bit of confidence.”

Now, with two experienced, finals-hardened units in Sydney and Adelaide to come, Fletcher emphasised the significance of the opportunity the Magpies have to prepare for finals against quality opposition.

“Sydney are the benchmark, around this time of the year, it’ll be all down to one-on-one footy.

“Teams that win in finals have to win one-on-ones, and what a better opportunity than at the MCG on a Saturday night to get out and watch the Pies.”