Daniel Menzel’s SANFL club comes calling after his second AFL delisting

His AFL career hangs by a thread after his shock delisting by Sydney. So could Daniel Menzel return to South Australia? The club he was drafted from hopes so.

Daniel Menzel’s AFL career is in limbo after he was delisted by Sydney and the SANFL club he was drafted by hope they can lure him home. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Central District has sounded out Daniel Menzel over a stunning return to the club in the wake of his shock delisting by the Sydney Swans, if he cannot find a third AFL club.

The 28-year-old former junior prodigy is now in AFL limbo after being cut by the Swans last week, after Sydney chose not extend his one-year contract.

Menzel came to the Swans after he was delisted by Geelong, despite kicking 40 goals as recently as 2017.

The talented forward is now hoping a third AFL club picks him up but his junior club Central District, where he was recruited from by the Cats with the 17th pick of the 2009 draft, have already made contact as to whether the Golden Grove boy comes back to South Australia.

Daniel Menzel has been sounded out by his former club Central District after his shock delisting by Sydney (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

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His younger brother Troy, who was at Adelaide and Carlton, returned to the Dogs last year and Central’s chief executive Kris Grant told The Advertiser the club would love for Daniel to also return.

“We’ve had a brief chat (with Daniel), he’s obviously focusing on whether he can find another AFL club,” he said.

“He hasn’t indicated one way or another so we just waiting to see (if he can picked up).

“But we would love to have him (if he can’t find a new AFL club."

The Advertiser tried to contact Menzel’s management.

In the wake of his second delisting, Menzel has said he was prepared to play at a state level next year in the hope of potentially being picked up in the 2020 mid-season rookie draft.

While he kicked 136 goals from 73 games at Geelong, Menzel’s time at the Cats was plagued by knee injuries, going under the knife for reconstructions on four occasions.

He then had groin surgery while at Sydney, which limited his time at the Swans to just seven games.

Central District CEO Kris Grant says the club has been in contact with Daniel Menzel. Pic: Tricia Watkinson

But last week Menzel said he hadn’t felt as good as he currently felt in eight years, and hoped clubs to consider what he could do with a full summer under his belt.

“I know I am an optimistic person but if I get a full pre-season in, which I didn’t do at Geelong and Sydney, and actually get the body of work in with my body as good as it is, I can’t see why I wouldn’t reach my best form,” Menzel said on Friday.

“I am not 30-plus, I still have all my power, I am still as strong and quick as ever, and if I can get an opportunity I definitely know I am good enough with the way I am feeling.

“I know people look at my story and say: four knees, the groin, why risk it? But at the same time, I don’t have those issues, my groins are fixed and it’s a one-year deal so the risk isn’t there and if you look at my best footy, the rewards would be there.”

A return by Menzel would be a big boost for the Dogs, who will embark on their first season in 17-years without legendary coach Roy Laird at the helm.

Originally published as Daniel Menzel’s SANFL club comes calling after his second AFL delisting