EXCLUSIVE MENZEL COLUMN - SEE P76

Caution rules, but Menzel still disappointed

DANIEL Menzel is disappointed he’s been left out of Geelong’s match against Collingwood tomorrow, despite the Cat showing “mild signs” he needs a rest.

The goal kicking forward has played all five games this season after being nursed through the preseason and will miss this week as he manages the workload on his knees.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said the Round 6 game had been pencilled in for Menzel earlier in the season.

“We also see with interest Ben Reid is in a similar position, clearly off the five-day break and I think they’re things clubs look at a long way out,” Scott said.

“Collingwood have clearly done that and we’ve done that with Dan as well.

“We have a group of players that won’t play every game for us this year, but it’s also a combination of long-term planning and summing it up week to week based on how the player has pulled up.”

Scott said, while Menzel had “pulled up OK” from the Cats’ win over St Kilda last Sunday, he was showing mild signs he needed a break.

“If you watch us train today I don’t think you’ll see any of those signs ... but it’s just a matter of making sure we’re proactive there,” he said.

“His history is well documented and being a little bit safer I think is a better mistake to make if we do make one.”

Scott said Menzel was disappointed he wouldn’t be playing this weekend.

“I think those sort of players — and hopefully every player on our list — want to play every week, especially in the big games, and it is a big game,” he said.

“So he’s disappointed to miss, but I think he acknowledges given the work he and his team have done over the last couple of years that it has to happen at some point.

“He’s disappointed he’s not playing this week but really confident that will leave him in a better place, not only for the week after but for the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, Lincoln McCarthy’s groin niggle has failed to clear up again this week, leaving him out of the squad for a third week in a row.

“It’s a bit of a confusing one for us and really unfortunate,” Scott said.

“We thought we were being proactive when we left Linc out for the first week and the slight issue he had just hasn’t responded to treatment, so this is the third week.

“He’s now in a phase where we’re making sure we’re doing everything to get it right for the long term and get it right completely. We won’t push him at all, so the return period is a little bit unknown.”

Josh Cowan (achilles) is also suffering constant niggles, denying him the chance to return to the field.

“Those two guys (McCarthy and Cowan), along with Dan Menzel, are in the category of us being ultra conservative with them,” Scott said.

“Josh has got a little bit of an achilles issue which we’re told is not significant.”

Sam Menegola returns to the side after a week’s suspension, while Jackson Thurlow (omitted) has been replaced by Jed Bews.