Sydney have signed classy though injury-cursed former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel to a one-year AFL deal.
Sublimely talented but oft-injured former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel will attempt to re-ignite his AFL career with Sydney.
Menzel was cut by the Cats after kicking 136 goals in 73 games, with his career threatened by four knee reconstructions since his debut in 2010.
The 27-year-old has previously made it known he would prefer to sign a multi-year contract, but will need to prove himself with the Swans on a one-year deal.
“Dan is a great talent and a proven performer at senior level,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said
“He brings a wealth of footy experience to our group and we are confident he can add real value to our squad.
“Dan has shown tremendous character to work through his injury challenges in his career to date and has shown in his past three seasons that he’s still got a lot to offer at senior level.
“We hope that a change of scene and a new environment will only strengthen his football.”
Menzel recently took time out from a holiday in the United States to undergo a medical in Sydney and has since resumed his US trip.
He is able to begin pre-season training immediately upon his return after he signed on as a delisted free agent.
Menzel’s hard luck story began in 2011 when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in Geelong’s qualifying final win over Hawthorn and missed out on the Cats’ premiership triumph.
He didn’t play another AFL game until round 22 of the 2015 season after suffering further knee injuries.
Menzel’s wretched luck continued this season when he suffered an adverse reaction to an injection into his groin and missed 10 games after a red-hot start to the premiership campaign.
Despite his undoubted talent, the Cats had been unwilling to contract him for any longer than one year at a time, which ultimately led to his departure.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Oh yeah of course BM, can't think of anyone in the modern era near him. How bad would you sleep the night before, knowing the coach had set you for Cyril the next day? He retired too early. I reckon he will come back. There's an article for someone to write there. The top ten modern players who make the opposition the most nervous. Didak was pretty much up there with the others too. He was a freak.
User
Roar Rookie
Will keep them well in hunt, Naismith back see them playing Sinclair more fwd , hopefully Reid can get a full year, Menzel and buddy with less pressure on ronke and mccartin. Bloody Sydney will be better than most think
Birdman
Roar Rookie
You missed the best one, Pete IMHO no-one in the history of the game put the frighteners up defenders more than Cyril. Velociraptor-like instincts
Frank Deville
Roar Rookie
Agreed.
Frank Deville
Roar Rookie
:-D
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
There are some footballers who won't tick all the boxes of how footy clubs measure and define a modern footballer but sometimes blokes just have "it". The footy nous that can't be measured. Stevie J probably another, Toby Greene, Eddie B, Buddy. Some blokes just make the opposition nervous when they are near the ball and I reckon Menzel makes me nervous when he is up against the Pies.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Is this Harsh Truth Harry?
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Menzel has the happy knack of finding goals. Such an underrated skill. Smart enough to work in any forward set up. A strong mark and a quick decision maker. Defensive priorities are small potatoes compared to the inspiration of the actual daring deed (goals). Buddy is a great sharer so ...... go swans.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Must have a lot of character to miss essentially four seasons of footy and still be playing. WIll be a handy foil for Buddy if he can stay fit.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Good get. Proven goalscorer.
Stewie
Guest
No way, Rohan was a dashing type, with no footy brain. Would be lucky to have 10 disposals a game and only one or three actual moments of impact. Got worse when his leg was shattered by Lindsay Thomas. Menzel is a running leading forward who averages 2 goals per game. Much more useful.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
Would have had him in my team any day. Well done Swans, he will add the x-factor into your attack. All the best Dan, except when you play us!!! I love watching you play and wish you all the success.
Harold
Guest
Rohan would be on heaps more money and they were different players - - then again the SCG is the ACL Bermuda Triangle.
Paul D
Roar Guru
So they got rid of Rohan to bring in Dan Menzel - I dunno, seems a bit of a sideways trade for Sydney, they seem a fairly similar sort of player.
Cat
Roar Guru
Good luck to Dan, always one of my favourites. Sad to see him play for another side but it was the right move at the right time for Geelong.