GEELONG Rangers threw the formbook out the window and at the same time erased last season’s Grand Final disappointment by defeating Surfside Waves 3-2 in a thrilling GRFC Men’s Division One season finale at Stead Park on Sunday.

Striker Ben Noble bagged a double and veteran attacker Troy Hardy scored the other for the Premiers, while midfielder Stu Mandley and prolific scorer Jack Pedler registered their names on the scorers’ sheet for the Waves.

Prior to Sunday’s season finale, the Surfside Waves had won two and drawn one of their three league clashes with the Dark Blues in 2015. But the Rangers went into the clash eager to erase last year’s Grand Final heartbreak, when they lost 0-1 to the Deakin Ducks.

After an even opening 45 minutes which ended with scores locked at 0-0, the Rangers came out all guns blazing in the second half.

Soon after the resumption of play, the Rangers were 1-0 up thanks to a Troy Hardy goal. Hardy managed to head the ball into the top right hand corner after Nick Hogan floated an inch perfect cross into the penalty box in the 48^th minute.

The veteran marksman along with star midfielder Scott Davison, were fronting up for their second game in as many days after turning out for Rangers’ senior team in Saturday’s triumphant State League Four relegation play-off in Melbourne.

In the 60^th minute, Surfside midfielder Steve McGain slalomed his way past a series of Rangers players, before laying the ball off to Stu Mandley whose 25 metre thunderbolt flew past stranded Rangers’ cudstodian Tiago Bonifacio for the equaliser.

Less than two minutes later, Rangers had the lead yet again after Ben Noble tapped the ball into an open goal after Hardy’s initial shot had rebounded off the upright.

Nine minutes later, Noble scored his second and his team’s third after a great build up which started deep in Rangers’ defensive half.

In the 77^th minute, star sharpshooter Jack Pedler pulled one back for the Waves ensuring the Final was set for a grandstand finish.

Just three minutes later, Surfside’s Bond brothers almost sent the game into extra time after defender Aaron drifted up the field and was fouled just outside the penalty box.

With just on ten minutes of regulation time remaining, brother Adrian stepped up to take the free kick which eventually found its way back to Aaron, whose 20 metre rocket skimmed over the crossbar.

Unlike the Waves who had youth on their side, the older and more experienced Rangers outfit, nonetheless, managed to hold on to their 3-2 lead right up until referee Mitko Nikolovski blew the whistle to bring down the curtain on the 2015 season.

GRFC Men's Division One Grand Final Match Details:

Geelong Rangers 3 (T Hardy 48’, B Noble 62’, 71’) defeated Surfside Waves 2 (S Mandley 60’, J pedler 77’) at Stead Park (HT 0-0)

GEELONG RANGERS: Tiago BONIFACIO, Joao RAMOS, Anthony ELLIS, Michael OPPERMAN, Rod VANDERCHYS, Brian CONN (c), David SCHOFIELD, Ben NOBLE, Troy HARDY, Nick HOGAN, Scott DAVISON.

Subs: Michael STOKES, Matt PLANT, Marcus VANDERCHYS, Michael CHAPMAN.

SURFSIDE WAVES: Aaron BOND, Adrian BOND, Staffan HARGREAVES, Alex KETCHEN, Matthew KIRK, Stuart MANDLEY, Luis McCLELLAND (c), Steve McGAIN, Jack PEDLER, Craig GROOM, Roscoe HOLMES

Subs: Matthew BOORE, Nic GOODWIN, John MILLS.

Referee: Mitko NIKOLOVSKI.

PHOTO: Triumphant Rangers players pose for a team photo after defeating Surfside Waves in the Division One Grand Final (Photo: T Prusac)