Cats keeping options open as stats show Daniel Menzel kicks goals, but rarely tackles
DANIEL Menzel “absolutely” wants to remain with the Cats, and coach Chris Scott is keen for him stay, but his manager reveals why a new deal has yet to be offered.
Geelong
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DANIEL Menzel’s manager says Geelong is yet to offer his client a new deal — and the potential recruitment of Gary Ablett is “probably” a factor.
Cats coach Chris Scott wants to Menzel to stay but contract talks have been put off until after the season as the odds of him remaining at the club drift.
The Cats are also aware of his deficiencies and are keeping their options open.
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Gary Ablett is desperate to get back to Simonds Stadium and out-of-contract Greater Western Sydney pair Devon Smith and Jacob Hopper have been linked to the Cats.
Adam Ramanauskas, who manages Menzel, believed Geelong’s hopes of trying to lure Ablett back home were likely a factor as the Cats prepare to add to their list.
But he said after signing one-year deals after a string of knee injuries, this time around his man wanted longer-term security.
“What you’ve got to look at is past history with Daniel,” Ramanauskas told RSN.
“(In the past) his one-year contracts have all been signed after the season. Would Daniel like a contract from Geelong in front of him now? Absolutely.
“He wants a longer-term contract, there’s no doubt about that.”
Scott said on Thursday: “We’d like to keep Dan Menzel. We had a two-year offer in front of Dan at the start of the year and by mutual agreement it was put off.”
Menzel has inspired Geelong fans with his recovery from four knee reconstructions, kicking 69 goals in his past two seasons.
The free agent is the worst pressure forward in the competition this year and has recorded the fewest tackles of any general forward — just over one a game.
He is also the best set shot forward in the AFL, and has kicked a lethal 36.13 this year.
Triple premiership Cat Paul Chapman said that Menzel was no certainty to be at Geelong next year.
“Anyone who kicks 40 goals for the year as a forward line player is valuable. But for him to sign another contract, he has to work on his tackling and pressure,” Chapman said.
“Forward line players can’t just be attacking any more.
“They are rated on their tackling ... you have to put huge pressure on. He is not doing that this year and his stats back that up.”
If a rival was willing to offer Menzel a two-year deal he might be forced to accept it.
Menzel knocked back a modest two-year deal last season to back himself for a more lucrative contract, but might end up with another one-year deal if he can’t find a new home.
Hopper has been offered a strong two-year deal to stay at GWS but holds out some hope of getting to Geelong.
The Cats also have highly rated forwards Lincoln McCarthy and Cory Gregson to return from long-term injury.
Menzel, 25, has spoken of a return to South Australia but his brother Troy would be competing for the same role at the Adelaide. Troy has played only four games this year.
Menzel recently spoke of his contract position.
“I’d be lying if I said you don’t ever think about it,” he said. “It’s a business and my family’s all back there but at the same time the club (Geelong) has been so good to me.
“We haven’t had contract talks at the moment and I’ll leave that to my manager.”
Geelong could create salary cap room if Menzel left, especially if fellow free agent Steven Motlop moved on.
It has no first-round pick after last year’s trades but has its own second-round pick as well as Carlton’s second rounder, currently pick 21.
The club recently re-signed youngsters Wylie Buzza, Jordan Cunico, Jake Kolodjashnij, Brandan Parfitt and Nakia Cockatoo.
Of the Giants pair, Smith is an elite pressuring forward and Hopper an inside midfielder who could release Patrick Dangerfield to spend more time in attack.
Round 23 permutations
- Adelaide wins
- Finish top
- Adelaide lose, GWS beat Geelong
- Giants finish top
- Geelong wins
- Home final
- Geelong loses
- Finish fourth if Richmond beats St Kilda
- Richmond wins and Geelong loses
- Tigers finish third
- Richmond loses, Port & Sydney win
- Tigers finish sixth
- Sydney & Port lose
- Finish either fifth and sixth - percentage too good to be caught.
- Melbourne wins
- Finish 7th
- Melbourne lose
- Need either West Coast or Essendon to lose
- Essendon wins
- In the eight
- Essendon lose
- Need West Coast to lose
- West Coast wins
- Need Essendon to lose or Melbourne to lose by big margin
- West Coast lose
- Can't make it
- St Kilda wins
- Need Essendon and West Coast to lose
- St Kilda lose
- Can't make it
- Bulldogs wins
- Essendon, West Coast and St Kilda must all lose
- Bulldogs lose
- Premiership defence over
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