GEELONG forward Daniel Menzel may line up in round three against the Brisbane Lions, says Cats coach Chris Scott.
Menzel, who has undergone four knee reconstructions, has played just 23 games since being drafted at pick No.17 in 2009.
The 24-year-old made his comeback in round 22 last year and kicked four goals against Collingwood in his first game in 1450 days.
The luckless Cat was an emergency for round one, but pressed his claims with four goals in a VFL practice match last Saturday against North Ballarat.
He was again left out of Sunday's side to take on Greater Western Sydney in Canberra with the Cats selecting an unchanged lineup.
Scott said at Melbourne airport on Saturday that spots are limited, but Menzel is good enough to make the team.
"We regard Dan as a best-22 player, but the reality is he hasn't played much footy for the past four-and-a-half years," he said.
"He had an average preparation right at the end of our NAB Challenge series. He had a really good pre-season but unfortunately missed three weeks with a minor calf (injury).
"He hasn't played enough footy to force his way in right at the moment, in a team that performed pretty well on Monday.
"Another really good VFL game and he might be too hard to refuse."
Menzel kicked two goals against Collingwood in a VFL practice match on Saturday.
Sunday's clash against the Giants marks the first time ex-Cat Steve Johnson will play against his former club.
Johnson, 32, won three premierships and a Norm Smith medal at Geelong before being traded to GWS at the end of last season.
He was criticised by commentators for being selfish in his Giants debut last week when he took some difficult shots at goal when he could have passed to open teammates.
The veteran finished with 2.2 as GWS lost to Melbourne by two points.
Scott doesn't expect Johnson will be affected by the media criticism.
"I really rate his resilience. He's a very confident person and he's confident in his own ability," Scott said.
"I'd argue against the 'selfish' label. I think that's really unfair. He's been a champion of our game.
"To label a guy selfish off the back of a couple of incidents in a game is really unfair."
Menzel a 'best-22 player', says Scott
GEELONG forward Daniel Menzel may line up in round three against the Brisbane Lions, says Cats coach Chris Scott.