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CORIO has kept its outside finals hopes alive after a dominant first-half display set up a 35-point win over Inverleigh on Saturday.
However, coach Mark McDowell was under no illusion his side would have to lift if it was to match it with the best teams.
Corio has been the Jekyll and Hyde of the competition, capable of producing scintillating quarters of football as well as dropping off the pace.
Saturday's win was no exception, with the Devils winning the opening half by 28 points, only to extend their lead by seven points by full-time.
"(Really) happy with the win, just to get the four points is good for us, (I'm) a bit disappointed they didn't really go on with the game and really seal it. I thought we were probably good enough to win by more," McDowell said.
"Credit to Inverleigh, they obviously put a bit more pressure on for the final three quarters and they didn't give in."
Corio's best victory this season was its come-from-behind win over Geelong West but its three other wins have come against the fellow bottom four sides.
McDowell said his team's inconsistency and inability to sustain its best football for four quarters was down to mental deficiencies.
"I'm disappointed because I've just felt that we've lacked that real mental toughness," he said.
"(We) just haven't got that mental strength and consistency yet. I think it will come in time."
Despite losing to East Geelong last week, the Devils are not ruling out finals yet.
They will have to defeat some quality sides over the next month if they are to do so, and then face a daunting final fortnight against North Geelong and Werribee.
McDowell said anything was possible: "Can we beat every side? Yes we can. But we'd have to play better football to do that."
Hawks aim to build for future - Daniel Short
INVERLEIGH remains winless this season, despite promising signs in recent weeks.
But Hawks coach Clayton Trotter has assured supporters the club is heading in the right direction.
The young Inverleigh side struggled to match the Devils' tempo early in the match but, to its credit, steadied to hold its own in the second half.
Trotter has made it clear the club's focus is on building for next year and beyond, and getting valuable senior games into many youngsters.
"We had a lot out and we had a lot of twos' players playing today but our effort over the four quarters was pretty good. (The plan is to) just get games into them (the younger players) and teach them about the game as a whole," Trotter said.
"Today was a positive, we've just got to keep moving forward. We're rebuilding for next year.
"It's coming together slowly; it's going to take time."
Trotter was confident in his side's development, with an emphasis of playing rising players in various roles to teach them about the "whole game".
"We know where we're at within the club and hopefully the rest can take care of itself in the long term," he said.
The Hawks showed glimpses of what they will be looking to produce on a regular basis in coming years, playing with quick ball movement and using their pace to full advantage.
