A BRILLIANT four-goal performance from the Cats' comeback kid Daniel Menzel was soured somewhat by an ankle injury that will require scans.

While Menzel told Channel Seven post-game he thought he had torn his ligaments and he "could barely walk", the Cats were uncertain whether the injury was that serious, with Cats coach Chris Scott hopeful he had made a lucky escape.

"He rolled his ankle early in the game and looked a little sore, but he came back and played really well so we're optimistic that that will be OK," Scott said.

The injury, which occurred when Menzel appeared to slide on the fake turf surrounding the boundary and slam into the fence, took place in the second quarter but he returned to kick three goals in the second half.

Scott said he had a sigh of relief when he heard Menzel had hurt his ankle, rather than his knee, which has required four knee reconstructions.

Although the 24-year-old told K-Rock he doubted he would be available to play against the Western Bulldogs next week, Scott said the fact he played out the game was a good sign.

Reflecting on Menzel's performance, Scott said he had to resist the temptation to wonder what might have been if Menzel had not missed four years of football.

"It is exciting for us when we see him play like that but I have to say that I do think about what could have been over the last few years," Scott said.

"You try to move on from that pretty quickly and focus on what he can actually give us now."

What he gave the Cats on Saturday night was four goals and a spark inside 50. He did not play against Carlton and was missed, but in his first game at Etihad Stadium since round 15, 2011, he turned it on.

"He's a powerful one-on-one player," Scott said.

"Often with those guys it's obvious when they win it and they break away but he is pretty good and neutralizes contests as well."

Scott also praised Shane Kersten's three goals in the first 11 minutes of the second half, which turned the game the Cats' way.

"He is a beautiful shot for goal," Scott said.

"For him to be good enough to put himself in that position to firstly win the ball but then take on the big moment and convert was really good for him."