But the Cats will nervously await scans on a potentially serious right knee injury to talented defender Sam De Koning.
After Adelaide led early in the final term, defender Lawson Humphries proved Geelong's unlikely hero, sinking his first AFL goal to help deliver a 13.12 (90) to 13.7 (85) win at GMHBA Stadium.
The win took Geelong, at least temporarily, into second place behind Sydney while they will be in the top four until at least Sunday.
It also sets up a blockbuster clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium next Saturday.
De Koning had to be helped off late in the third term, substituted by Jack Bowes.
There will clearly be fears of an ACL tear after he sustained the injury without any contact - merely turning before dropping to the turf in pain when his right knee gave way.
Sam De Koning exits GMHBA Stadium after suffering his injury. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Cats Tom Stewart (28 disposals), Patrick Dangerfield (21 disposals) and Tanner Bruhn (23 disposals) were busy.
Shaun Mannagh kicked two goals and provided plenty of drive while Tyson Stengle was lively and finished with 20 touches and one goal after a week in the spotlight.
Stengle was cleared to play despite spending several hours in hospital after he collapsed in a Geelong nightclub in the early hours of last Sunday morning.
Riley Thilthorpe (three goals), Josh Rachele (three goals) and Taylor Walker (two goals) were dangerous while Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) and Rory Laird (29 touches) got to work in the middle.
It was an impressive response from Adelaide after their capitulation against Hawthorn last week.
It was a scrappy affair early at GMHBA Stadium, which had patches of sand throughout the turf.
Stengle took a contested mark and quickly snapped the opening goal, to the delight of the home crowd.
The Cats led by eight points at both quarter time and halftime.
Geelong's Mark Blicavs flies high to contest a mark against Adelaide. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS )
Cameron's fourth and fifth goals, via an unconventional snap and a checkside on the run respectively, helped Geelong to a 22-point lead in the third quarter.
But the Crows booted the final four goals of the term, including two to Rachele, with Jake Soligo putting them in front by three at the final change.
After Thilthorpe extended Adelaide's lead to nine, the Cats got to work.
Humphries brilliantly snapped Geelong back in front before Cameron's sixth proved enough to break Adelaide hearts.
The Crows will host the in-form Western Bulldogs next Sunday.
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