Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has agreed to a contract extension with the Cats after overcoming four knee reconstructions.
Menzel endured his first reconstruction in 2011 but played 18 games during his 2016 comeback season to register a career-best 33 goals.
Menzel believed he would improve in 2017 after another strong pre-season lead.
“The club always stood by me and so the challenge and focus for me was always getting through a full season,” he said.
“I expect with another pre-season I’ll be in even better position to contribute in 2017. We have exciting times ahead and I want to play my part in the club having success.”
Cats football general manager Steve Hocking said that Menzel would be even stronger next season.
“Dan showed us he’s all capable of playing out a full season and we’ve been very happy with his contribution to the team,” Steve Hocking said.
“He displayed the ability to create scoring opportunities and to bring team-mates into the games as well as the goal sense that he has always had.
“We expect Dan to get stronger with this full season under his belt and to make an even more significant contribution to the team in 2017.”
Menzel suffered his first knee injury in the 2011 qualifying final win over Hawthorn. He returned to the AFL in round 22 of 2015, and enjoyed his first full season back this year.
He established a new career best with 25 disposals in the round six win over Gold Coast and had seven games with multiple goals.
Menzel booted four goals on four times and was held goalless in two of his 18 games this year.
The 25-year-old has kicked 69 goals from his 41 games since debuting in 2010.
