Entering Saturday night's crucial clash on a three-game losing streak, the Cats came alive to extend their recent dominance to 17 wins from their last 19 games against the Bulldogs.
The lead changed seven times before Geelong edged away with five-straight goals from late in the third quarter to midway through the final term.
The Bulldogs blew numerous chances on goal to cost themselves dearly as Geelong prevailed 15.7 (97) to 10.15 (75) and improve their record to 6-6 ahead of a bye.
Coming off a shock loss at home to GWS and with several key players still on the sidelines, the Cats rallied to avoid losing a fourth-straight match for the first time since 2006.
"I do have a degree of confidence that while there's a bit of talk about what the future might hold, whether we win or lose (this year), we're just not in that mindset," Cats coach Chris Scott said.
"In a way it's easier when you do have that optimism that if we get back to our best, you don't have to look too far back to see what that looks like and see how dangerous we can be."
Star forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron were important with two goals each, but it was some of their lesser likes that proved the catalyst for the win.
Mitch Knevitt, in just his ninth game, bombed a long goal on the halftime siren to reduce the Bulldogs' margin to just two points in a huge boost for the Cats.
Enigmatic forward Gary Rohan stepped up in his first game for five weeks with two majors, including the sealer, and also laid some crucial pressure tackles.
Vice-captain Tom Stewart kicked just the fourth goal of his 137-game career a minute into the final quarter to spark Geelong.
The Bulldogs' second-straight defeat was soured further by losing speedy defender Ed Richards to a hamstring injury.
Star Dogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and fellow midfielder Adam Treloar also spent plenty of time off the field and both returned with heavy strapping on their legs.
The Bulldogs failed to kick a goal in the final term, finishing with just 2.7 in the second half.
Luke Beveridge's team have just six days to rest before hosting surging Port Adelaide, who are on a club record nine-game win streak, at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
"There were some telling opportunities to convert that we didn't take, and that was a bit deflating," Beveridge said.
"You can't keep Geelong at bay for too long if you're making the most of those opportunities, so it was a big part of it, but ultimately we got beaten by a good side."
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