The Cougars have reached the one-day grand final, locked in a Luscombe Shield finals berth and remain a front-runner for a home semi-final.

Cougars playing assistant coach Matthew Scalzo said his team was in a similar position last season and it all ended in tears with an instant exit from the finals.

"We were in a strong position last year and we know how that ended," he said.

"We're not getting ahead of ourselves.

"We've got to get a lot of things right before we think about the finals."

Top of the bucket list is conquering powerhouse Pascoe Vale Central in a two-day game at Green Gully Reserve starting Saturday.

Last time they met, the Cougars slaughtered Centrals, but that was a one-day game and the longer format is a different kettle of fish.

As it stands, if the season ended today, the two sides would meet in a cut-throat semi-final.

Scalzo described the bout as a statement game and a chance for either side to strike a psychological blow in the run home.

"We're not even thinking about finals - we're just thinking about the next game," Scalzo said. "Our focus is all on Pascoe Vale Central."

The Cougars will not fly under the radar come finals time.

They are not the favourites, either.

Scalzo said star-studded Buckley Park was the team to beat.

"We have good games with Buckley Park," he said.

"They're a competitive side with a superstar line-up."

The Cougars have a nice blend in their side with multiple contributors in all categories.

Three of the top-12 batsmen in the competition are Cougars, including Evan Long, Danny Viani and Dave Rogowski.

Their bowling stocks are deep too with Matthew Nadzielski, Jarrod Catania, Tristan Krizanic and Viani among the best 12 in the league.

And it does not stop there with pressure coming from the second and third XIs.

"Everyone is chipping in," Scalzo said. "It's real competitive for spots this year and guys can't drop their guard."