Jon Patton was uncharacteristically nervous before the GIANTS' first intra-club match at Blacktown this week.

The big forward has spent nine months on the sidelines after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year and was making his long awaited return to competitive football, 

But 'The General' soon allayed any fears he might have had when he marked strongly and goaled in the opening minute of the game. 

He was quickly mobbed by his teammates, who seemed just as excited as Patton that he was finally back playing football and doing what he does best. Taking marks and kicking goals.

“It was a good feeling to be out there again, I pretty excited and a little bit nervous before the game,” Patton said.

“Just the fact I was out there… makes me look back at the last nine months and (see) it was all worth it.”

The 20-year-old slotted seamlessly back into the GIANTS forward line alongside fellow spearhead Jeremy Cameron and match has given him some much needed confidence heading into the season.

He is now looking forward to the NAB Challenge series starting with the Swans at StarTrack Oval, Canberra next Thursday - the same venue where he injured his knee against St Kilda last year. 

And already the team is looking ahead to the Battle of the Bridge against the Swans at Spotless Stadium on March 15.

“Everyone is just itching, we’re all really excited” he said. “I think once we get through the NAB Challenge and hopefully play some good football it will set us for Round One which everyone is looking forward to at Spotless Stadium.”