Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has admitted the groin injury that ruled him out of last year’s preliminary final loss to Sydney took much longer to recuperate from than expected.
The 25-year old currently rates his body a “seven or eight” out of ten, and revealed the injury caused him to have a delayed start to pre-season, as he was stuck doing rehab.
“I’d say I’m a seven or eight, I’m getting there,” Menzel told SEN Breakfast.
“I think my groin did rule me out of the prelim and it was one that wasn’t just a small niggly injury, it hung around a fair while.
“I’ve had to do a fair bit of rehab in the pre-season and had a delayed start to the pre-season, but I’m really happy with how it’s at.”
Menzel returned last week, playing half a game against Adelaide and said he was ahead of schedule.
“Playing a half last week against the Crows was a little bit ahead of schedule, so for us we’re really happy with how it’s gone,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll play a full game this week and then give myself the best chance to go round one.”
Following the season, Menzel said the team internally identified that too much of the load was being placed on superstar midfield duo Patrick Dangefield and Joel Selwood to continuous perform.
He believes there is a couple of players in particular who should be able to and provide plenty of impact, but ultimately everyone needs to share the load.
“It’s one that externally and internally you’re definitely aware of it (their influence),” he said.
“Danger came in for his first year last year and was awesome for us. We probably did put the load on those two guys too much and it’s something we have definitely identified.
“I think there’s guys, Scott Selwood who didn’t do too much of pre-season and didn’t play until the latter half of the season, Sam Menegola, a couple of guys who will be able to just come in this year and give us an impact.
“It’s probably sharing the load a little bit better than last year.”
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