It doesn’t get much sweeter than this for comeback kid Jack Martin.

Guy McKenna’s teenage prodigy couldn’t have pictured a more pitch-perfect return to football, with Gold Coast celebrating its first victory over top-four hopeful Geelong at Metricon Stadium this afternoon.

“I can’t describe it; the feeling was amazing and it was just a really good, hard-fought win,” Martin told goldcoastfc.com.au.

Playing in just his second game after a long road back from shoulder surgery, Martin showed more than enough to justify his return to senior level without a game in the NEAFL with a 15-possesion, six-tackle performance.

While his furious tackling was on full display, it will be Martin’s first AFL goal in the final term that will have plenty of football fans watching the replay over and over again.

From tight against the boundary line, Martin found himself in a foot race against champion half-back Corey Enright, but there was never any doubt who would come out on top.

Martin did just enough to create the space he needed to steer clear from the three-time premiership star, before comfortably running through to boot his milestone six-pointer. The West Australian’s kick almost sailed over the top of Metricon Stadium’s huge scoreboard and video screen, to put the exclamation mark on his return and put the frustration of three months on the sidelines behind him.

“I was hoping if I could hang in there and stuck at it, I’d be okay,” he said.

“It was a good goal at a good time.”

McKenna heaped praise on his young, first-year player.

“He is a quality kid. You wouldn’t do what we did - like Zac previously - but Jack is a level-headed fella and he finished the game with six tackles.

“So say no more.”

The 19-year-old said he’s glad to be back playing the game he loves most.

“It was so good to be back out there again, and just to have that sort of win.

“The last couple of weeks have been tough but the crowd really got behind us in that third and last quarter.

“I think they really gave us a ride and brought us home.”