Adam Kingsley sarcastically branded Jesse Hogan's performance "reasonable" after the key forward's match-winning feats helped GWS outlast Geelong in an instant AFL classic.

Hogan kicked seven goals as the Giants overcame the loss of Jake Stringer to a hamstring injury and survived a gripping finish in the 16.9 (105) to 14.17 (101) victory at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

It was their fifth consecutive triumph in Geelong, a remarkable streak that began in 2019.

Four of those wins have been by single-figures, including three by less than a kick.

The Cats were left ruing a string of missed chances in the frantic final stages, with Mark Blicavs' set shot from 30 metres hitting the post with little more than a minute left.

Shaun Mannagh also had a rushed attempt in the dying seconds but failed to score as GWS hung on.

Kingsley's side (5-4) now sit one spot behind seventh-placed Geelong on percentage alone.

But the win came at a cost, with high-profile recruit Stringer substituted out of the match before halftime.

Coleman medallist Hogan kicked 7.1 from 22 disposals and took nine marks in one of the best performances of his career.

"He was reasonable, yeah," GWS coach Kingsley deadpanned.

"Some of those marks he was taking in the second quarter when he had guys hanging off him and was still able to control the ball - I think he's the best in the league at that aspect of the game.

"It's always really important to be able to rely on someone ahead of the ball and he got some benefits from some of our ball-use up the field, and there were some times when he legitimately won a contest that he didn't have the right to win."

GWS midfielder Tom Green was inspirational in his 100th AFL game, tallying 37 disposals, six clearances and one goal.

Lachie Whitfield (30 disposals), Finn Callaghan (29) and Lachie Ash (25) were also important contributors for the Giants, and Jack Buckley kept Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield (12 disposals, one goal) mostly quiet.

Blicavs (20 disposals, nine clearances) was one of Geelong's best alongside speed demons Max Holmes (30 touches) and Bailey Smith (34), and Jeremy Cameron kicked two brilliant second-quarter goals.

The Giants kicked five of the first six majors, including two from Stringer, but there were 10 lead changes after quarter-time in an epic contest.

Geelong were belted at stoppages early but won the overall clearance count 39-31 and enjoyed a 61-46 advantage in inside-50s.

Jake Riccardi put GWS in front for the final time with three minutes left to play but the Cats still could have pinched it.

Three of the last four scores were Geelong behinds, with Shannon Neale (one goal) and Tyson Stengle (two) also missing shots in time-on.

"They were really hot early so we should be in some ways proud of our performance to really dominate the game outside the first 20 minutes," Cats coach Chris Scott said.

"And when you get 31-32 shots ... then you've done enough to win the game.

"So that bit's disappointing but the quality of the opposition, especially early, they were hot."