Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows his side will "need scalps to finish high up on the ladder" as the Dogs look to assert themselves as contenders in the run home to September.
Beveridge's side, who sit in fourth on the ladder, are yet to beat a current top eight side in 2025, going winless from their six bouts against those in the finals frame.
The highest sitting club from their 10 wins to date is GWS, who are in ninth and outside of the top eight by percentage.
The club's run home consists of upcoming games against Adelaide and Brisbane over the next fortnight, with Fremantle the only other team in the top eight on their schedule after then.
They will face GWS in Round 21, with the rest of their draw including Essendon, Melbourne and West Coast.
Despite the club's record against the top sides, Beveridge has found positives in the results of his side's defeats against those clubs, while last week's win over reigning grand finalists Sydney at the SCG was one he sees as a formidable win.
"We've had a pretty productive year," the premiership coach said after his side's 49-point win over North Melbourne on Thursday.
"These teams who have beaten us who are above us, it hasn't been by much. If you go back and look at those games, and even the Sydney game last week, even though they're below us, they brought a game style and approach that I think would stack up against any team in the competition. It was a pretty important win for us last week. Earlier in the year, those games were going the other way.
"I acknowledge these games are going to be big tests (against) proven sides. I could see Adelaide coming at the end of last year. It's no surprise to us, with their personnel and experienced acquisitions that came over from other clubs, they are where they are.
"Last time we played them in Adelaide, they jumped us and took control. We were second-rate last year against them.
"There's a fair bit to play for every week, and we'll relish the challenge. We've just got to own up to the fact we haven't beaten anyone above us. We're in the mix, and there are some opportunities on the stretch to keep winning."
The Dogs are yet to finish a home and away campaign in the top four under Beveridge, despite making two grand finals.
While they remain firmly in the mix for a finals finish, Beveridge knows his side will need wins against fellow contenders to finish where they want to.
"We're not Navajo Indians," Beveridge said when quizzed on whether the Dogs needed a 'scalp' before the end of the year.
"I think what we need is to keep winning and capitalise on our opportunity. The difference in being one of the better sides and being in that mid-tier pack is winning those close ones against the more formidable opponents.
"If you say 'Do you need a scalp?'... the short answer would be that we need scalps to finish high up on the ladder.
"We can't back away from that."
The Dogs will host Adelaide at Marvel Stadium for Round 18 before a trip to the Gabba the following Friday night, which will be the club's last interstate trip for the season.
