The Crows lost the opening six games of the season, but have catapulted back into finals contention on the back of three straight wins.
Over the last three weeks Adelaide has broken through to record consecutive wins for the first time this year, as well as its first win away from home.
But the Crows have beaten just one team above them on the ladder this season (Fremantle) and Maric said the next challenge was for his team to topple a genuine premiership contender.
“A win [against Geelong] would build a lot of belief within the playing group and I suppose guys might start talking about finals. The guys will probably start believing that we can make it if we win,” Maric said on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a level up from what we’ve played against the last couple of weeks…but I think that what’s been working for us [over the past month] will be good enough if we can execute it at a high level and that’s what we’ll be focussing on.”
Adelaide has lost its past five games against Geelong by an average of 32 points, but Maric said the Cats were “only human”.
“You can get sidetracked by what Geelong has achieved and how good they are, but you’ve really got to focus on the way you go about it and the process,” he said.
“The process for is playing highly-competitive footy at a high level for four quarters and if you can do that, with a bit of luck Geelong can be beaten.”
The Cats will welcome back premiership players Cam Mooney and Joel Corey for Friday night’s clash, while the Crows could have some big inclusions of their own.
Andrew McLeod (knee), Nathan Bock (groin), David Mackay (ankle) and Chris Knights (foot/blurred vision) were all cleared to train with the team on Wednesday night and will be available for selection provided they get through unscathed.
Forward Brett Burton was excused from training, after copping a knock to the shin playing in the SANFL last weekend but has not been ruled out of lining up for the Eagles again this week.
Last week coach Neil Craig floated the idea of playing McLeod and Bock in the local league this weekend, but Maric said both were capable of coming straight back into the team.
“Personally, I don’t think I could do it [send McLeod to the SANFL] but that’s why it’s Neil’s decision,” Maric said.
“Andrew McLeod has played 300-odd games…he knows how he can play and he’s done it in the past - been out for six weeks and come back in and performed. He’s been in great form this year, so I don’t think he’ll go back and play with Port.
“I really want him to play with us.”
Injury-ravaged forward Trent Hentschel (hamstring) trained alone on Wednesday afternoon and could also be on the verge of making a comeback.
