A well-balanced effort from the Cats means Geelong is now just two wins away from their second premiership in four seasons.
After a shaky start, they quickly took control, and always looked comfortable against the defending premiers.
The Sporting News looks at the Cats who willed their side over the line, plus the important role their taggers played.
MORE: AFL Qualifying Final Brisbane player ratings: Lachie Neale's dominant night done early with injury
Who won the game for the Cats?
Ollie Dempsey: 9
He's redefining the wing position before our very eyes, and tonight was a match-winning display from the 22-year-old. Ended up with a hat-trick of goals by pushing deep into the forward line, the biggest highlight being his running volley from a metre out.
Did damage outside of the scoreboard though, ending the night with a team-high 25 disposals and nine score involvements.
Tom Atkins: 7.5
Set the tone early with seven tackles in the first half, including a couple crunchers. Ended with a team-high 10 tackles, while also finding his fair share of the ball. 17 disposals, seven score involvements and a goal in a solid night for the Cats' veteran.
Jeremy Cameron: 6
Looked like he could singlehandedly have the game decided by quarter time. Gave Ryan Lester headaches for the first half an hour, with seven disposals, six scoring shots (two goals) and five marks in the first term. Burned a couple of teammates early though and rushed a few opportunities.
Had to deal with Darcy Gardiner from the second quarter onwards who kept him quiet, as he had just six disposals and two marks after the first.
Tom Stewart: 8
The Geelong key defender got it done on both ends on Friday night. It was an all-time intercepting performance the previous night by Darcy Moore, and Stewart's effort was not far off. Ended with a game-high 11 intercept possessions, while pushing up the ground for an influential 22 disposals, a massive goal from outside 50.
Max Holmes: 7.5
Started slow but delivered a monster third quarter as the Cats pulled away. Emerged from the main break with 10 disposals and a goal, en route to a 23-disposal night. Partnered up well in the midfield with Bailey Smith who himself had 22 disposals, as the star duo worked their way into the game nicely.
How effective were the taggers?
Mark O'Connor: 6.5
Completely locked down Cam Rayner in the first half until the umpires took over. The umpires had clearly made a point to keep an eye on their matchup, with O'Connor the beneficiary at one point in the second quarter. But Rayner was quickly rewarded with two free shots right in front of goals, much to the audible disappointment of Geelong's faithful.
Unfortunately for O'Connor, that incident was the opening Rayner needed to get going, as he had 10 disposals in the second half and a goal.
Oisin Mullin: 9
Mullin was tasked with Hugh McCluggage, and set the tone as he held the All-Australian to just one disposal in the first term. McCluggage's night didn't get much easier afterwards, with just two disposals in the third quarter.
Mullin himself only had seven touches, but has there ever been a more important seven-disposal peformance?
Who will want to lift in two weeks' time?
Shannon Neale: 2
Had a couple of moments where he beat Harris Andrews late, one of which led to him running into a goal, his only real contribution of the game. For three quarters though he was thoroughly outplayed by the Brisbane captain, allowing Andrews to mark and spoil without much resistance in the Geelong forward line. The Tom Hawkins successor isn't quite at that level, yet.
Connor O'Sullivan: 5
One of the only Cats without finals experience heading into Friday night, and while he wasn't poor by any means, he definitely had some shaky moments. Turned the ball over early but cleaned up his mess with a strong tackle on Cam Rayner. Later in the third quarter he lost a crucial one-on-one against Logan Morris, as the Lions kept the door ajar for a comeback. Fortunately for the Cats, that comeback never materialised, and O'Sullivan is now just one win away from a Grand Final.