Rangers adopt ruthless streak
REVENGE is a big motivation for Ipswich Rangers this weekend and they're not trying to hide it.
Rangers welcome their Barber Cup grand final conquerors of 2011, Pine Rivers, to Woodend tomorrow afternoon.
The two teams have traded titles for the past two seasons but Rangers have the edge on form this season, with the Boars coming off a loss to Springfield Lakes last weekend.
Rangers' evergreen prop Dominic Chalk is confident his team is prepared for whatever Pine Rivers can throw at them.
"We're on a good trot so far this season," Chalk said. "We're getting stronger as the season goes on."
Chalk admitted he was surprised to see the Boars go down to the Hawks.
"Absolutely," he said. "It will be interesting because they'll be firing to come back after last week.
"We haven't heard anything about them or how they're made up."
The 40-year-old made no secret about the fact Rangers saw it as a chance to extract some revenge for last season's grand final loss.
Even if Rangers do get the points tomorrow, the revenge mission won't stop there.
"We want to transfer that the next couple of times we play them," Chalk said.
Rangers have vowed to not take their foot off their opponents' throats this year as they attempt to become more ruthless.
"This year the goal is putting sides away rather than winning by 15 points and not going on with it," Chalk said.
Not helping them is the shoulder injury keeping skipper and number eight Charlie Scott out of action.
The sort of aggression Scott brings was something Rangers missed in last year's grand final.
"That mongrel is one of the things we're trying to squeeze out, particularly in defence," Chalk said.
"We want other teams to be frightened of our defence."
Chalk is gradually approaching his best, having been hindered by injury and work commitments.
"I had a rough end to last season with a knee injury," he said.
"Fitness-wise, I've not been the best.
"I had work commitments that took their toll on my pre-season.
"But Mike (coach Mike McLean) has been good. He's given me two full 70-minute games. I needed them under my belt."
Goodna and Springfield Lakes are also both at home this weekend.
In the Barber Cup, the Gladiators take on Redcliffe at Evan Marginson Oval tomorrow afternoon. The Hawks welcome Wynnum to Springfield Lakes, following the Pegg Cup clash between the clubs' Reserve grade sides.
