ANYTHING is possible for Melbourne in 2017 if it can continue its excellent form, according to co-captain Jack Viney.
The Dees have climbed from 11th on the ladder to fifth over the past month, stamping their premiership credentials with a 57-point thrashing of the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
They are now just two wins behind ladder leaders Adelaide, but also find themselves only two wins ahead of 15th-placed Carlton with every team having now played 12 games.
It's a position that provides both challenges and opportunities for the Dees, who are looking to break an 11-year finals drought.
"You look at the ladder at the moment and the competition's so close," Viney said on Monday.
"You've got to be on your game every week. You could lose one or two and find yourself down towards the bottom, or up the top.
"Where we're sitting on the ladder and the opportunities later in the season ... it's all just dependent on how we perform week-in, week-out.
"Whilst we feel like we've put ourselves in a good position to continue to perform, we can't look too forward into the future."
The Dees will be hard to stop if they can replicate their imposing performance against the Bulldogs, who tried but were unable to match Melbourne's physicality through four quarters.
Simon Goodwin's men have a tough fortnight ahead, with consecutive six-day breaks before crunch clashes against West Coast in Perth and Sydney at the MCG.
Star ruckman Max Gawn will return to face the Eagles on Saturday night but co-captain Nathan Jones (quad) is in doubt after pulling up sore from Sunday's game.
Key forward Jack Watts (hamstring) also spent extended time on the bench but is confident he will be available.
"I know the boys are getting checked out today," Viney said.
"They'll have their scans and see the doctors. I'm not too aware of where they both are at.
"We've got our VFL boys coming off some really strong performances and we feel like we'll be able to fill the role of Nathan, (although) not easily because he's a big part of our football team."
