Livewire forward Daniel Menzel has almost had more knee reconstructions than AFL pre-seasons – which is exactly why seeing the 24-year-old on the track in January means so much to so many.

Menzel was one of the stories of 2015 when he returned to senior football in round 22 and booted four goals in a loss to Collingwood.

He got through a second match unscathed to finish off his inspirational comeback and – unlike most of his teammates – is now enjoying every minute of a gruelling pre-season as he eyes off the NAB Challenge in February.

“To be in with the full group every single day, it doesn’t matter how hard or how difficult the running is, it’s all worth it,” Menzel said.

“I’m targeting the first game against Collingwood at Simonds Stadium. I’d love to play a couple of games in there [NAB Challenge].”

“If I can get two in there, that’d be good and will put me in good place to play round one.”

The fan-favourite admits some mental scars do still linger, but his determination to improve with each day pushes them aside more often than not.

“There’s still little things – agility, tackling, these sorts of things – that I’m nowhere near where I want to be,” Menzel admitted.

“I’ve still got improvement there. You can’t have four ACL reconstructions and come back completely perfect in your body.”

“But there’s no reason you can’t come back a stronger and more complete player. There’s so many positives you can get out of it.”