Geelong forward Dan Menzel has agreed to a contract extension with the Cats.

Menzel, who has battled back from four knee reconstructions since 2011, played 18 games in an incredible comeback season, registering a career best 33 goals.



Menzel believes he will improve on his fine 2016 campaign with another strong pre-season lead in.



“The club always stood by me and so the challenge and focus for me was always getting through a full season,” Menzel said.



“I expect with another pre-season I will be in even better position to contribute in 2017. We have exciting times ahead and I want to play my part in the club having success.”

Geelong’s general manager of football Steve Hocking said that Menzel will be even stronger next season.



“Dan showed the he is all capable of playing out a full season, and we have been very happy with his contribution to the team,” Steve Hocking said.



“He displayed the ability to create scoring opportunities and to bring team mates into the games as well as the goal sense that he has always had. We expect Dan to get stronger with this full season under his belt and to make an even more significant contribution to the team in 2017.”



Menzel suffered his first knee injury in the 2011 qualifying final win over Hawthorn. He returned to the AFL in round 22 of 2015, and enjoyed his first full season back this year. He established a new career best with 25 disposals in the round six win over Gold Coast and had seven games with multiple goals. Menzel booted four goals on four occasions and was held goalless in just two of his 18 games.



The 25-year old Menzel has kicked 69 goals from his 41 games since debuting in 2010.