Brisbane gave Geelong the fright of their lives before the premiers rallied in the final quarter for a 27-point win in the AFL match at Skilled Stadium.

Without late withdrawals Jonathan Brown and Brownlow Medallist Simon Black, the Lions still matched the competition benchmark throughout before the Cats' class and depth eventually told 15.15 (105) to 11.12 (78).

The premiers remain unbeaten after the opening seven matches of the season.

While Brisbane were hampered by the loss of Brown (hip) and Black (groin), Geelong also lost a star before the bounce with midfielder Gary Ablett succumbing to a calf injury.

The Cats struggled early - Brisbane opening up a three-goal lead in the second quarter as midfielders Jed Adcock, Tim Notting and Jared Brennan launched the Lions forward at every opportunity.

The Lions dominated the early inside 50s but wasteful kicking cost them the chance to open up a match-winning lead - at one stage in the second term Brisbane were 6.8 to Geelong's 5.2 That allowed the Cats to graft their way back, with Mathew Stokes kicking two goals and Cameron Mooney one in the second quarter to give Geelong a four-point halftime lead.

The teams went goal for goal in the third quarter until the Cats pinched a break in time-on.

Goals to Steve Johnson and Jimmy Bartel helped Geelong to a five-point lead at the final break.

Brisbane threatened to make things interesting when young forward Mitch Clark kicked his third goal early in the final term to level the scores.

But goals in quick succession to Steve Johnson and Paul Chapman gave the Cats some breathing space, before a running goal at the 20-minute mark to Andrew Mackie opened up an unassailable 20-point gap.

Geelong was best served by midfielders Bartel and James Kelly, with Bartel growing in importance and prominence as the match went on to finish with 27 touches and two goals.

Cats defender Matthew Scarlett was also important, limiting in-form Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw to one goal.

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