Having all but declared their season over last week, the Cats are now just one win away from breaking back into the top eight for the first time in two months.
In arguably their most impressive win this season, the Cats came back from four goals down early in the third to kick seven unanswered goals to stun the red-hot favourite Zebras 11.12 (78) to 9.13 (67).
Debutant in-waiting Simon Hogan delivered his most complete performance from an already glittering year, collecting 41 disposals and six marks.
"He was outstanding today, the way he used his body in the windy and tough conditions was fantastic," VFL coach Leigh Tudor said last night.
"He really showed he's strong over the ball and can make good decisions under pressure, which was really good to see."
Travis Varcoe lit up the sky on an otherwise bleak and windy afternoon with some mesmerising sidestepping and awesome finishing.
The match hung in the balance until midway through the final quarter until the Varcoe-inspired Cats surged over the line.
Varcoe played a prominent role in the Cats first two goals, including a scintillating run down the wing where he dodged would-be tacklers like a slalom rider.
"We wanted him to get a little bit more of the ball than what he's been getting in the AFL, he's come out today and got 25 possessions, which is great," Tudor said.
"When the game was in the balance, he just kept bobbing up for us and his defensive pressure again was outstanding, but for him to get a lot of the ball was exactly what we wanted to see, so it was a good result for Travis."
Cast in supporting acts all afternoon were Jason Davenport (26 disposals), captain James Byrne (31), rookie Brodie Moles (28) and hardworking centre-half forward Scott Simpson (20).
Tudor said a dozen players could have been named in the best for the team performance.
