Former Adelaide Crows and Carlton player Troy Menzel best on ground for Tea Tree Gully
TROY Menzel had a big decision to make 12 months ago regarding the next stage of his football journey. The ex-Crow’s choice to go back to grassroots was vindicated on Saturday.
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TROY Menzel had a big decision to make 12 months ago regarding the next stage of his football journey.
After being delisted by the Crows at the end of last year, he could have given it another shot at making the top level or go back to grassroots to rediscover his love of the game.
The mercurial forward chose the latter and on Saturday that decision was vindicated as Menzel won the medal in a best-on-ground performance in Tea Tree Gully’s division one grand final triumph.
To cap it off, the Gullies’ breakthrough top-tier flag came on his 24th birthday.
“I’m absolutely rapt,” Menzel said.
“Twelve months ago I probably didn’t even know what I would be doing in footy for the year ahead.
“I definitely didn’t see this coming.
“But it’s something I’m always going to cherish, I think.
“I made the decision to come back purely for enjoyment of playing the game again and I’ve definitely found that here – to walk out at the end of the season with a flag is a bonus.”
Tea Tree Gully saw off a spirited fightback to prevail over a quality Rostrevor Old Collegians outfit.
Menzel was prolific, running through the midfield and in attack, as the Wolves shot out to a 14-point half-time lead before extending it to 26 at the last change. But it was in the final term that the former Carlton and Adelaide player really made his mark on the contest.
ROC kicked the first two majors of the quarter and the Wolves appeared to be fading, until Menzel, as all genuine leaders do, stood up when his team needed it most to boot two crucial goals.
He said the group’s ability to face and beat adversity was what drove them to the win.
“The whole day, the whole week the boys have been pumped up for it and we came out firing with the right attitude,” he said.
“We got challenged in the last but we kicked back really well.
“It says a lot about the group of boys we have here.”
Menzel’s best-on-ground display came after gaining selection to the division one team of the year.
His brother, Geelong forward Daniel, was also on hand to watch the performance.
It was safe to say the birthday boy was among the most jubilant in the Wolves’ post-match premiership celebrations.
