Sunset time on Cazalys ‘curse’

TOM Lynch says the Suns will prove there is no Cairns curse by applying the heat to North Melbourne as they attempt to snap a five-game losing streak at their second home.

Gold Coast will start what new coach Stuart Dew described as a long journey today at Cazalys Stadium against the Kangaroos.

It forms one of many north Queensland academy zones for the Suns, who often speak about the advantages they have over southern rivals in the heat.

But history shows Gold Coast won their first two premiership games in Cairns against Richmond and have since lost their other games, against the Tigers and Western Bulldogs, two clubs that have won flags recently.

Lynch denied any hoodoo surrounded Gold Coast’s trips to Cairns and was confident the humidity would still play into their hands as they look to make the most of a hot preseason campaign over summer.

“Obviously the last few years have been a bit disappointing,” Lynch said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a hoodoo.

“We have worked hard over the summer and corrected a few things from last year and we are excited for Round 1.

“It’s humid but it’s similar to the Gold Coast so we want to use that to our advantage.

“North Melbourne, and Melbourne teams, coming up don’t train in the humidity, which we do all summer, so we want to use that to our advantage.”

Dew said he was excited on the eve of his first time coaching an AFL game and believed if his troops produced the same form from their two JLT Community Series wins then they would be in the box seat for victory.

“It’s the start of a long journey and we are really keen to see how we go,” Dew said.

“I’d just like to see them continue what they have done. What I have seen from day one is really great effort and consistency. If we play that way we will get the result.

“It’s been really hard to narrow down the 22 that are rolling out.”