Port went into the match as rank underdogs, with few pundits predicting a win for the visitors.
But spurred by a travelling supporter base that turned the MCG into a neutral venue, Port Adelaide came out firing early.
Knowing they needed to hold with the Cats early in the match if they were to be in with a chance, Port played hard from the outset and challenged the favourites throughout the night.
While Geelong easily accounted for Port in the inside 50s, the Power's defence proved resilient early and rebounded effectively.
While it missed several early chances, the Power was never out of the game and brought a high-quality pressure to the fancied Cats.
It was rewarded when captain Travis Boak spotted deputy Brad Ebert in space to allow Port to convert its first of the night.
The scores flowed quickly from there, with Angus Monfries highlighting a solid first quarter with a strong defensive effort on the wing and a gutsy run to kick Port's second from a set shot.
It leveled the scores and gave Port the momentum to set up ruckman Lobbe with a lead-taking goal at the end of the first quarter.
Port carried that momentum into the second term, but also increased its pressure around the ball to force the Cats into mistakes.
The Power found its way forward frequently, with strong team defence inside 50 rewarding Justin Westhoff with his first for the game.
Port's relentless and raw attack on the ball was a level beyond its effort against Collingwood and resulted in the last three goals of the quarter.
Of course, Port knew Geelong would hit back if they were challenged, and they did after half time.
The Cats controlled the final half by winning the contested possessions and pressuring Port into poor decision-making.
Geelong wrested the lead back by a goal at three-quarter-time and looked home halfway through the last.
But true to the club's new mantra of never giving up, the Power ran the game out, and was still in with a chance when Westhoff and Hamish Hartlett reduced a 22-point margin to just 10 points with two minutes remaining on the clock.
The experienced Geelong had the class and composure to whittle time away with easy chip passing late in the game though and choked Port's hopes of another last-gasp revival.
Justin Westhoff was a rock for the Power all over the ground and finished with three goals to his name, while midfielders Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent and Hamish Hartlett were the club's most consistent throughout the night.
