It remains to be seen if off-season Sydney Swans recruit Daniel Menzel will make a return to AFL footy against his former club next week, but the ex-Geelong Cats dynamo booted five goals in the NEAFL on Saturday to lodge a compelling case.
The opportunist forward finished with five goals from 15 touches as Sydney surged to a 58-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium, helping the Swans to back-to-back wins in a 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58) triumph.
The 27-year-old swapped Cats colours for red and white during last October’s trade period, but off-season groin troubles meant he didn’t pull on a Swans guernsey until two weeks ago.
Although he’s now kicked eight goals in two NEAFL games in a promising comeback from injury.
If Menzel is selected for the senior side’s clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday afternoon, he will play his first AFL match for Sydney against a club at which he kicked 136 goals in 73 games.
Saturday’s match against Gold Coast remained in the balance as Sydney took a 17-point buffer into half-time, but the Swans would then charge to nine second-half goals to the home side’s two to claim a percentage-boosting Round 8 win.
First-year draftee James Rowbottom was one of Sydney’s best in a performance stamped with 31 disposals and 10 tackles, while midfielders James Rose (32 touches) and James Bell (27 possessions, nine tackles) also fired.
Sydney ruckman Darcy Cameron also impressed in a battle with Tom Nicholls, who’s played 45 AFL games, with the rising Swan gathering 22 disposals, 39 hit-outs and a goal.
Cooper Kilpatrick was the best of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-ups on his way to 21 touches and a goal.
The Swans are now set for another trip north to face the Brisbane Lions at South Pine Sports Complex next Saturday afternoon.
Sydney Swans 3.5 8.9 12.12 17.14 (116)
Gold Coast Suns 3.3 6.4 8.6 8.10 (58)
Goals – Sydney: D Menzel 5, Z Foot 2, J Amartey, D Cameron, J McInerney, K Martin, S Wicks, T Tyson, J Pawle, H Maguire, B Ronke, C Kilpatrick
