GC SUNS assistant coach Andy Lovell believes increased humidity and warmer temperatures may cause more than a few issues for the Richmond camp this week, as the Tigers prepare to acclimatise to the Queensland weather and conditions expected for their clash in Cairns. 

“We have got plans in place with ice chambers and ice vests to try and combat the heat but we were able to train in the wet today with the slippery ball, and we know it’s going to be wet and slippery at some stage during the match so that helps with our preparations,” he said on Wednesday. 

“The good thing is we know Richmond face the same conditions, so there beauty is we know we’re not playing a team from Cairns so they haven’t got that extra advantage.”

But regardless of rail, hail or sunshine, Lovell said Guy McKenna’s coaching staff had been developing a game style and playing structure that would hold up in any conditions and at any AFL venue in the country.

“What we are trying to do as a footy club is develop a game plan that stands up in all conditions anywhere,” Lovell said.

“So training in the rain today is important because when you train in the wet conditions it helps sharpen your focus for the game ahead, so that’s going to be a great benefit for us heading into this weekend.”

While some League experts have declared the Gold Coasters have an easier run home, Lovell says the playing list are refusing to buy into the talk – instead telling reporters the focus is very much still on the overall improvement and development of the playing list.

“I think it was written that we had a softer draw the some other teams but for us the reality is we know we never have an easy game,” he said.

“So our approach this week, as it has been when we prepared for the likes of Hawthorn and Geelong, is to bring really strong effort and intent to the footy, and hopefully if we can do those things than we can leave Cazaly’s Stadium with the winning scoreboard.”