Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley isn't ruling out the AFL finals just yet.
But he says the Magpies' season hinges on this Friday night's fixture against North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos are clinging to eighth spot, two wins clear of Port Adelaide, with Collingwood three wins outside the eight.
"We will get to Etihad (Stadium), both on a side-day break," Buckley said after a 28-point away loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.
"Their season is on the line. And we still consider our season is on the line.
"We still want to play the footy that we're capable of as often as we possibly can."
Buckley said the Magpies will need to rectify a glaring issue when confronting the Kangaroos: slow starts.
Collingwood conceded the initial five goals of the game against the Crows, a week after being four goals down at quarter-time against Greater Western Sydney.
"We will go to the North game with a full intent," he said.
"We have started slow the last two weeks so clearly we need to start better - you can't afford to give good sides a start.
"We were able to chase down GWS, we weren't able to chase down Adelaide. We need to start better against North."
