RICHMOND assistant coach Justin Leppitsch has backed star forward Jack Riewoldt to come good at Cazalys today as the Tigers eye revenge against the Gold Coast.
He even laughed when reminded of the catastrophy that occurred at the same venue last year.
The Suns upset the Tigers in their first visit to Cairns, to all but end Richmond's finals aspirations.
Leppitsch believes the side is better now though, and will fuel the disappointment of 12 months ago into a different result today.
"It was a dark day for the club," he said.
"It was horrible, probably second to losing a grand final. Hopefully those memories will drive us to a better result."
Suns' coach Guy McKenna told reporters yesterday that his team was five goals better at Cazalys than in Melbourne - a statement that Leppitsch would not dispute.
But the former Brisbane Lions enforcer said they had the midfield class to overcome that gap.
"He's probably right. Travel is always a factor. But our core midfield is still there and that means we've still got a pretty strong unit," he said.
They have done the business feeding the forward line with opportunities this season and Leppitsch admitted it was hard watching the forwards not take advantage.
"When you're coaching the backs it's very frustrating watching the forwards miss," he said.
"It cost us the Fremantle game, a big win against the Giants and cost us against the Crows."
He agreed that Riewoldt was key to their fortunes up front and said the joker was in good spirits despite registering one goal, five behinds and one out on the full last weekend against the Demons.
"He had an off day last week, but he`s good, he`s always good,`` Leppitsch laughed.
"We funnel through him a lot, the other two guys around him are inexperienced, so he`s very important."
One man who had no such issues in front of the Cairns goals last year was David Swallow, who will make his return for the Suns today.
Swallow was one of their best in that win and his addition is a massive boost to a side that already benefited from experienced trio Michael Rischitelli, Campbell Brown and Jarrod Harbrow returning last week.
"When the boys in the locker room look around and see the old leadership and now young leadership in Swallow, they are certainly a bit more confident," Suns coach McKenna said.
He said the side that runs out today would be one of the strongest this season.
"We're getting closer to it; it has to help having that experience back," McKenna said.
And returning to the scene of the club's last win would only benefit them.
"I'm sure five, six percent it probably helps us, but it doesn't guarantee a win," he said.
Play begins at 4.40pm, with the final of the North Queensland Secondary Schools Cup at 1.15pm.
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 10:27