Menzel inching towards club debut with another strong NEAFL showing

Sydney forward Daniel Menzel has his eye on an imminent club debut after yet another strong showing in the NEAFL on the weekend.

Menzel was delisted by the Cats at the end of the 2018 season, with Geelong’s loss quickly becoming Sydney’s gain as Menzel joined the Swans on a one-year deal throughout the off season.

Hailing from South Australia, Menzel became a household name after spending nearly a decade in Geelong where the key forward only managed 73 senior games between four knee injuries.

The poor luck with injuries continued for Menzel as he faced groin surgery in the off season, forcing the key recruit to miss the entire pre-season.

Sydney have been cautious with the return of Menzel, bringing the dynamic forward back up to fitness via the NEAFL with his return match coming against Sydney University two weeks ago.

However, the signs of an AFL return became ominous after Menzel’s five-goal performance against the Gold Coast SUNS on Saturday at Metricon Stadium, displaying the contested marking and leading prowess we have become accustomed to throughout his years at Geelong.

Despite the tumultuous off season Menzel told neafl.com.au he is satisfied with his football at the moment.

 “I’m really happy with how the body’s feeling… I feel strong, I feel like we’ve put the work in. It’s just about match fitness for me now,” he said.

Menzel, who learnt his craft playing alongside AFL legends such as Paul Chapman, Steve Johnson and Jimmy Bartel, spoke about the role he plays whilst in the NEAFL.

“I just try and impart my wisdom and help the young boys out… it’s a nice role to play but at the same time too they help me out as well,” he said.

Menzel spoke very highly of the forward stocks Sydney has to offer despite the clubs start to the AFL season.

“I feel like we’re going to build a really good forward line, Tommy Papley is in some incredible form, we saw what Sam Reid did last round and Will Hayward as well.

“I’ll be so rapt and so excited to get out there with them.”

However, it was one name in particular that Menzel was excited to line up alongside, in the form of superstar Lance Franklin.

“It was part of the reason that I wanted to come here, no doubt,” Menzel said of the factor playing with Franklin played in making his decision to come to Sydney.

Despite his performance against the SUNS, Menzel was not getting ahead of himself as he looks to play his first AFL game for the season.

“It’s exciting. I feel like I’m close, I’ll have a good week on the track and see what the coaches say,” he said.

“Whether it’s this week or in the coming weeks we’ll wait and see.”

Regardless of Menzel’s selection status this weekend a big weekend beckons for the club.

At AFL level the Swans face the ladder leading Cats in what would be Menzel’s first game back at Kardinia Park if selected, while for the NEAFL side the inclusion of Menzel would be a major addition as the Swans take on the unbeaten Brisbane Lions this weekend in Queensland.

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