I couldn’t be prouder of our club for sticking by Daniel Menzel.
No player has ever come back from four knee reconstructions, and it’s rare for a football club to show so much faith in such a young player.
Having played just 21 senior AFL games in 6 years, most teams would decide it just wasn’t meant to be and delist Menzel.
But not the Cats.
Since being selected by Geelong with pick 17 in the 2009 AFL draft, Menzel has been cruelled by injury, but as we saw in 2011 he has the potential to be the Cats’ most damaging player.
Last Saturday, Menzel made his long-awaited return, playing his first VFL match in 27 months (the 23-year-old hasn’t played a senior AFL game in more than 1400 days).
In just three quarters against Werribee, Menzel racked up 17 disposals, including 14 contested possessions, proving he hasn’t lost his touch.
After getting through the game unscathed Menzel said, “Relief’s a great word.
“It was a massive relief to get through but also to have your teammates and your family and friends there to share it with was pretty special.
“The knee feels really good and I¹m really happy by the way it pulled up.”
Whether or not he gets back to his best is irrelevant. Geelong has stood by him proving to the football world there is still room for loyalty.
But the Cats’ culture isn’t just about sticking by their injured players or disciplining bad behaviour.
Over the past few years, if a Cats player wanted to leave the club, Geelong has been willing to take less to do the right thing.
The perfect example is Allen Christensen. Geelong spent five years nurturing and developing the young midfielder into a rising star.
He was worth a much higher draft pick than the 21 the Cats received from Brisbane.
But he wanted to join the Lions for personal reasons, and Geelong agreed to take less to get the deal done.
So let’s pray that the football gods bring Geelong and Daniel Menzel the good karma and good luck they both deserve.
Sean Sowerby Channel 7 News Weekend Sports Presenter/Reporter
Proud Geelong Cats Member
