Gold Coast battled valiantly at Simonds Stadium on Sunday afternoon before ultimately falling to Geelong by nine points.
The SUNS will be left to rue missed opportunities, winning the inside 50 count 67-52, clearances 54-40 and registering 31 scoring shots to Geelong's 25.
The Cats trailed by 12 points at half-time, but booted six goals in 22 minutes in the third term, and then hung on for dear life as the SUNS made all the running in the final term, to record a desperately needed 16.9 (105) to 13.18 (96) victory.
With the contest going down to the wire, it was versatile big man Mark Blicavs who stepped up to kick a booming goal from outside 50 with just 30 seconds left on the clock, ensuring the Cats got over the line.
Geelong was sluggish in the first half, affording the SUNS far too much space around the ball, and it was made to pay the price.
Even without skipper Gary Ablett (shoulder), SUNS midfielders Dion Prestia (29 disposals), Michael Rischitelli (26) and Harley Bennell (26) had a field day through the centre in the first half.
Gold Coast defender Trent McKenzie - who was dropped by coach Rodney Eade after the SUNS' listless round-one loss to Melbourne - also played a big role on Cats danger man Steve Johnson.
The SUNS take on Greater Western Sydney at Startrack Oval, in Canberra, on Saturday.
GEELONG 5.3 7.6 13.8 16.9 (105)
GOLD COAST 6.5 8.12 9.15 13.18 (96)
GOALS
Geelong: Walker 4, Caddy 2, Gregson 2, Motlop 2,Clark, Lang, Thurlow, Johnson, Selwood, Blicavs
Gold Coast: Lynch 3, Martin 3, Matera 2, Rischitelli, Hall, Garlett, Day, Miller
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Kelly, Enright, Walker, Blicavs, Gregson
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, McKenzie Lynch, Bennell, Prestia,
INJURIES
Geelong: Bartel (knee), Stokes (ankle), Lonergan (head)
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Nakia Cockatoo replaced Jimmy Bartel (knee) in the first quarter
Gold Coast: Matt Shaw replaced Daniel Gorringe in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Stephens, McInerney
Official crowd: 20,813 at Simonds Stadium
