Daniel Menzel spent much of his career sidelined because of knee injuries, now he is fit and sidelined because of COVID-19

Central District star Daniel Menzel spent much of his career on the sidelined recovering from knee injuries, now he is in the best shape of his career and still not able to play.

• South Adelaide star Joel Cross said SANFL players prepared to play for nothing to get season started
• How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription

Even Central District gun Daniel Menzel describes his situation as extremely weird.

The gifted forward has a far greater appreciation than most of the frustration of not being able to get on the field.

Four times he had to put his AFL aspirations with Geelong on hold for a season while he endured the lengthy recovery from a knee reconstruction.

Having returned to the Bulldogs following one year with Sydney, Menzel has devoted himself to a tireless fitness regime in a determined bid to regain a spot on an AFL list.

And now he is sidelined again, because of COVID-19.

“I did a full pre-season and I’m happy where my body is and how I have felt,” Menzel said. “I was ready to go with the new group.

“This year I gave myself an opportunity to play my best footy, but I’ve had to put things on hold and there is a lot of uncertainty now.

Daniel Menzel (right) will play with his brother Troy at Central Districts. Pictured at Elizabeth Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Hopefully it will still work out really well on the other side. I just feel like I’m in my prime and the fittest I have been. It is extremely weird how it has worked out.”

The physios at the Cats and Swans have installed confidence in Menzel he can have a “decent crack” at his game for another two or three years.

Despite the four ruptured ACLs, there is no damage to the knees and he lacks the wear and tear of other 28-year olds because he has missed so much football.

There was also the motivation of spending more time in the midfield this season and the chance to show his influence was not limited to the attack.

“Personally, I feel I have been through a lot worse,” Menzel said. “Being fit and not being able to play is better than being injured and going through the rehab.

“It’s not good, but not as bad. I’ve never reached my potential and was hoping for that this year.

“But I’m confident on the other side of 30 I’ll be moving and feeling really good.”