UNLUCKY CALL ENDS WITH DAN’S RETURN
GEELONG will turn to the X-factor of Daniel Menzel as it looks to overturn a poor recent record against red-hot Sydney in tomorrow night’s cutthroat semi-final.
Menzel was a shock omission for last weekend’s qualifying final loss to Richmond, with doubts cast over his lack of defensive pressure.
In the absence of their second leading scorer, the Cats were held to a return of five goals against the rampaging Tigers.
With midfielder Cam Guthrie to miss with a calf strain, Geelong coach Chris Scott declared Menzel a certain starter against the Swans, who have won five of the past six matches between the two clubs.
In an eight-year career blighted by four knee reconstructions, the mercurial forward has only played two finals.
He also missed last year’s preliminary final loss to the Swans due to groin soreness, making his dumping last weekend an even tougher pill to swallow.
“He’s been unfortunate the last four or five years and maybe even longer than that, that he hasn’t been available at this time of the year,” Scott said.
“Even last year he was very sore towards the end of the year. For this game he’ll be feeling physically very good.
“That’s the part that excites him the most, that it’s a really big game and he’s feeling good and he’s playing.”
The free agent is out of contract this season and has been linked with a possible move back to his home state of South Australia.
Scott flagged the prospect of the Cats making more than one change against a Sydney outfit that has won 15 of its past 17 games.
The likes of Darcy Lang and Tom Ruggles could be considered for recalls, as could versatile talls Wylie Buzza or Rhys Stanley.
But goalsneak Nakia Cockatoo is out of contention due to hamstring concerns. In his first game back after ankle surgery, skipper Joel Selwood was well below his best against the Tigers, although he was hardly alone there.
“He is very good when it comes to hiding discomfort,” Scott said. “I’m sure he had some but he didn’t show it.
“His feedback is that he will be better for the run.
“He wasn’t at his best, but probably the biggest factor for us last week (was) if the coaches’ votes were 10 through to one, I don’t think we could have come up with one (player) in the top 10.” MORE CATS v SWANS: PAGE 34