Menzel has been terrific for Dogs in SANFL pre-season, says skipper Goodrem

Central District missed finals action last year but the signing of Troy Menzel gives The Bulldogs a huge boost in their bid to return to major round action.

Tea Tree Gully’s Troy Menzel during the Adelaide Footy League grand final. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

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Central District captain Trent Goodrem has described Troy Menzel’s presence as awesome after the former Adelaide forward opted to return to the club of his youth in the off-season.

Goodrem said Menzel had been fantastic, not only with his approach to training, but with his influence on the playing group.

“Troy has good experience from his AFL time and he has been a really positive bloke around the club,” Goodrem said. “We have been rapt how he has been and hopefully his performances will back up what he has done in the pre-season.”

Menzel, drafted by Carlton with pick 11 in the 2012 AFL draft and delisted by the Crows after the 2017 season, was best on ground for Tea Tree Gully in its amateur division one grand final triumph last year and he looms as an X-factor for the Bulldogs.

Troy Menzel in 2011 before being drafted from Central District to Carlton.

His form in the trials was impressive and he will give the Bulldogs a dangerous option in attack as well as being able to spend time in the midfield.

The Bulldogs will also unveil another key recruit Jydon Neagle in the challenging opening-round clash against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday.

“There were a lot of positives from the trials, but trials are one thing and games another,” Goodrem said. “I’ll wait for a few rounds to see how we are tracking.

“There are a lot of new guys come to the club who have been really good and a couple of young guys are stepping up as well which is exciting.

“Our preparation has been excellent and the majority of the list have all done a pre-season so we are really fit. There are always a couple of injuries, but we are probably in the best position we have been entering round one for the past four or five years.”

The drive to Noarlunga has been a problem for the Bulldogs in recent years and they have lost their past three contests at the home of the Panthers.

Goodrem highlighted the Panthers’ classy midfielders Joel Cross, Nick Liddle and Abe Davis and said the home side had plenty of run and spread.

“We have got to slow them down and control the game to suit our needs,” Goodrem said. “The game will be hot early.”

The midfield battle will be intriguing when Sturt hosts Adelaide at Unley Oval on Saturday.

The Double Blues’ onball guns Zane Kirkwood, Aidan Riley and James Battersby will confront Hugh Greenwood, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Patrick Wilson.