Todd Banfield returned to some of his best form with four goals - three in the third quarter - to add a spark the Lions have been missing up front for most of the season.
The 21-year-old missed two matches with a hamstring injury suffered against Richmond in round 13, and after a quiet return against Hawthorn last week, burst to life against the Cats.
Banfield kicked two goals immediately following the incident that saw captain Jonathan Brown stretchered off and Mitch Clark left hobbling, to give the Lions a three-point lead at the last change.
His four goals for the match was a season high.
Banfield said he feared for his captain when he saw him motionless on the ground.
"I thought he might have injured his cheekbone, the one he did before (against Fremantle in round one), so I was a bit worried for him. It's never nice to see your captain go down like that," he said.
"We knew we'd be one or two big men down so it was more about being smart with the footy and trying to lift ourselves as a team and get through that quarter.
"I was lucky on a few (goals) but it was more about doing my role for the team."
Banfield is paid to kick goals, and the Swan Districts recruit did just that.
His first came during the second quarter when Brown fired out a handpass into space on centre wing.
Banfield took three bounces and steadied from 45m to kick his first.
In the third term he cut loose, kicking a right-footed banana to get the ball rolling, and following up with two more immediately after the collision.
He said it was disappointing the Lions could not finish the match with a strong last quarter.
"I think it was just concentration lapses in the fourth quarter," he said.
"We can't make excuses for two blokes going down, I think it was just more the effort.
"They (Geelong) played four quarters and we couldn't match it. As a team we have to work on that."
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting
