Bartel’s fears for Menzel

GEELONG champion Jimmy Bartel believes Dan Menzel’s papers have been stamped on the back of his shock axing from last night’s qualifying final.

As Channel 7 reported that a new deal from the Cats was on the table for Menzel last night, Bartel cast doubt on whether the out-of-favour forward would be at the club next season.

Cats assistant coach Corey Enright said pre-game that Menzel was dumped for “team balance”, but Bartel was baffled by the decision.

“Defensive pressure is often brought up, but that’s not Dan Menzel’s role, so it’s interesting that they’ve decided at this stage of the year that he doesn’t apply enough pressure to warrant selection in a final,” Bartel said on 3AW.

“I’m a little bit concerned for him because I know he wants to stay at Geelong. He’s always said that, and whenever I’ve spoken to him, he loves the club and he loves the support around him.”

Bartel was unaware of any contract offer to Menzel and believes he will be left to sweat until the off-season.

“I don’t think they have (offered him a contract extension), and if they will, it will be post-season,” Bartel said.

Overcoming multiple knee reconstructions, Menzel signed a one-year extension for this year.

He has played 35 of the last 48 games and has booted 71 goals, but remains out of favour.

“I know he hasn’t played the full 22 games plus finals, but he’s kicked 70-plus goals in the past two seasons and if you look at his 38 goals, he’s in the top two at 13 clubs, so he’s actually performed,” Bartel said.

“The interesting one out of it, Zach Guthrie comes in and Jackson Thurlow’s as an emergency and my concern is what happens to Jackson Thurlow at the end of the season?

“They’ve played Guthrie, who is off the rookie list, they’ve played (Jake) Kolodjashnij in the back half and then they’ve gone and recruited someone like Zach Tuohy, so that’s the one I’d be worried about.”