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Swans secure ex-Cats forward Menzel

Sydney have signed classy though injury-cursed former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel to a one-year AFL deal.

Daniel Manzel
Injury-plagued former Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has been thrown an AFL lifeline by the Swans. (AAP)

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.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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