Cameron Ling's goal at 18 minutes in the third quarter could prove the most important score for Geelong this AFL season.

It sparked an improbable Geelong rally that turned a likely third-straight loss into a stirring four-point win, 9.7 (61) to 8.9 (57).

As the scoreline suggests, this was far from an attractive spectacle but Geelong players will draw great strength from their willpower in the second half.

"You get 20 minutes at half-time, talk about how we're going to play in the third quarter, and I don't think they were listening one bit," said Geelong coach Mark Thompson.

"They were doing exactly the opposite, but something clicked and we started to move the ball a bit quicker and got a result.

"I'm glad they did it, because it would have been a pretty horrible day otherwise."

The Crows had kicked the first three goals of the third term for a 15-point lead and were on the verge of busting the game open when Ling goalled against the run of play.

It was Geelong's first score since late in the first term and sparked a four-goal rally, including Brenton Sanderson's outstanding running shot just before three-quarter time.

Sanderson's score was also Geelong's last goal of the match.

By three-quarter time they were down to 20 fit men, with Corey Enright (knee) and Henry Playfair (jaw) out of action and Jarad Rooke also on the field under medical supervision after being concussed.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP