Luckless forward Daniel Menzel made a successful return to football via the VFL on Saturday.

Menzel kicked two goals in the Cats’ win over Werribee and importantly got through the game unscathed.

It was Menzel’s first competitive match since a groin injury in April and the forward was pleased with how well his body held up.

“It is a relief to be back out there first and foremost, but also I’m pretty pleased with how the body got through,” Menzel said.

“A few cobwebs but I was happy with how the body went.”

The VFL Cats had a potent forward line with Menzel contributing as both a marking target and a crumbing small forward.

The GMHBA Stadium crowd were at the loudest when the ball was in Menzel’s hands and his two goals proved important in the Cats’ victory.

“(I try to be) as dynamic as I can be, whether there is a tall or a small on me, knowing that I can try and beat them in both areas of the game,” he said.

“It is always nice to hit the scoreboard but it’s also nice to convert, something I pride myself on is my goalkicking and it is something I know I can bring to the side.

“I felt back in the game with movements and match fitness, which is starting to come, so it is nice to get on the end of a few and just build from here.”

Whilst Cat fans would be eager to see the mercurial Menzel back at AFL level, the 26-year-old is likely to play with the VFL side again next week.

The AFL side is set to face Sydney on Thursday night and Menzel believes the short turnaround will see him miss that clash, with the hope of being ready for senior selection the following week.

“I’m doubtful (of playing AFL) I think, I did about 12km (on Saturday) so I think this week, with a five day break, it would be extremely tough.

“I think next week it will be Frankston for me and we will judge it as to how we will play that,” Menzel said.

Despite the obvious excitement surrounding his return to the AFL side, the injury-plagued forward is just happy to be pain-free, training and playing again.

“I always thought that I would make it back but at the same time it has been a frustrating 10 weeks,” Menzel said.

“For every week that I was stuck at home and not able to walk properly let alone do any training, it was going to add an extra week on to how much training I had to do to get back in to match fitness and reconditioning.

“Every week that went by without making any progress was a realisation that I’ve got another two weeks on top of that.”

Having to sit on the sidelines was difficult enough but the sense of uncertainty surrounding Menzel’s injury added to his frustration.

After his initial groin injury, further complications with injections made it hard for doctors and physios to timeline a return for Menzel.

“I had an inflammatory response to the injection and then it just went from there and it was hard to pinpoint so we just had to give it time,” he said.

“Whether it was the infection or the pubic joint stabilisation, I don’t think we can put our finger on what it was – probably a combination of both to be honest.

“I have spoken closely to the doctors and physios about this and it is one where I do feel for the doctor a little bit, because it is just one of those freak things.”