BEN COUSINS seems set to return for Richmond this weekend after completing Thursday's training session at Victoria Park.

The 31-year-old, who has missed the Tigers' last two games with a back injury, arrived late and warmed up on his own before joining his teammates.

Assistant Danny Daly said the former Eagle was a strong candidate to replace Daniel Jackson, who was suspended for three matches by the AFL tribunal for headbutting.

"That was disappointing for us losing that appeal but to replace Jacko with Cousins is pretty handy for us," he said.

Daly said he hoped Cousins could shake off a poor recent run with injury to give the Tigers much-needed experience.

"I suppose when you look at his pre-season he missed a fair bit of it through injuries," he said.

"He hasn't been able to do a full week's session over the last four or five weeks but this week he has been able to.

"Hopefully he can get a few touches out there, get a bit of confidence, pull up well from the game and he can move on from there."

This week, Richmond meets an Essendon side riding high from its win over St Kilda last week.

Daly said he didn't draw too many observations from the Bombers' performance, and that the Tigers had instead focused on their opponents' struggles in the Anzac Day loss to Collingwood.

"We're looking at who we play as an opposition team over the last four weeks rather than last week," he said.

"They are in some pretty good nick. We'll give them that but there are some areas of the game we can expose them in.

"The Collingwood game where they were pretty ordinary ... we got a few things out of that game more so than last week, to be honest."

Despite criticism of the Tigers' lack of firepower in attack, Daly - the club's forwards coach - said fourth-year player Jack Riewoldt had been outstanding.

Riewoldt has kicked 19 goals this season, with Robin Nahas (seven) the side's next best contributor.

"I've spent a lot of time with Jack," Daly said. "When you come from another club you've got your own opinions on players and I had my own opinion, which I'll keep to myself.

"For a guy of only 21, he's doing an unbelievable job for us. He is No.1 in the AFL for tackles inside forward 50 and has something like 36 shots on goal which is up there with the top rank.

"If you look at him he is probably not a key forward. I can't question Jack's ability or what he does week in, week out.

"The challenge for him is to make sure he keeps that consistency and strives to be a better player."