Daniel Menzel has long flown Geelong’s flag as a number of young Sydney Swans forwards have made their mark at the opposite end of the ground.

But the former Cat is now relishing the thought of running out on match day with a host of “seriously good players” as he dons the red and white in season 2019. 

Menzel left Geelong for Sydney after the Swans secured his signature via last October’s trade period, a deal which closed the book on an eight-year stint in Cats colours.

The proven 27-year-old goal-kicker is still recovering from a bout of groin surgery he underwent in December, but he says he’s looking forward to sharing the Swans’ forward 50 with some of Sydney’s brightest young stars.

“There are so many good young forwards coming through at the Swans at the moment,” Menzel told Swans Media.

“Tom Papley, Will Hayward and Jordan Dawson are all coming through and are seriously good players. It’ll be really exciting to not only get out there and train with them, but then play with them as well.” 

Four-time Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin last year led a forward line brimming with youth, but the recruitment of Menzel and return from injury of Sam Reid could add invaluable experience to the front third of the ground in season 2019.

A torrid run with injury limited Menzel to just 73 AFL games across his eight years at Geelong, but he’s booted 100 goals in the past three years for an average of 33 majors per season.

Hayward and Papley snared 28 and 24 majors respectively in 2018, and their enormous defensive pressure gave the Swans a monumental boost, while Dawson last year kicked four goals in four senior matches.

Impacting on the scoreboard will so too be a central focus for Menzel in his journey with the Swans, and the star forward says he’s progressing well on the road back from groin surgery. 

“I’m going really well. I’m really pleased with how it’s tracking. Every session has been a win for me,” Menzel said.

“It’s still around Round 1 that I’m expected to be back playing, and if it’s not Round 1 it will be shortly after that. We’ll just keep ticking the boxes and hopefully I’ll be training with the boys soon.”