GEELONG forward Daniel Menzel has aced his first game of football in more than two years, collecting almost 20 touches in three quarters against Werribee in the VFL on Saturday.

After a strained hamstring in March delayed his return from a fourth knee reconstruction, Menzel started strongly with eight first-term possessions to finish with 17 before sitting out the final quarter. 

Shane Kersten's second goal late in the game was enough to see the side sneak home by two points, 7.11 (53) to 7.9 (51).

Of Menzel's 17 disposals, 14 were contested and he managed 10 clearances and laid two tackles.

Although possessing remarkable talent, knee injuries haven't allowed the 23-year-old to reach his potential after he was drafted by the Cats with pick No. 17 at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

He first ruptured his ACL in the 2011 qualifying final against Hawthorn and hasn't played a senior game since.

He's undergone three subsequent knee reconstructions, the latest in April 2013 after his LARS-reconstructed left knee failed in his second VFL game back.   

Menzel said he was ecstatic to get through his comeback.

"To have played it and get through, it's an amazing feeling," he said after the game.

"To just be back out there with your teammates is one of the most special things about it. 

"I haven't had any doubts. I feel like we've done so much work in the gym … that I always knew if we got a good crack at it, my body would hold up.

"For me personally, if I can get back into that AFL team and get back out there doing what I love, it's driven me every single day for the last four years so I'm confident in my body."

Cats coach Chris Scott admitted on Saturday night that he had been nervous for Menzel pre-match and that his performance was a "huge relief".

"It was great. It was a circus, as we expected, out there at Werribee, but we shouldn't underestimate the importance of the occasion," Scott said.

"I've said to Dan it's only a small step and we're excited … but it's significant nonetheless. He needed to get through that game.

"He's tried a couple of times and hasn't been able to get through, so the mental hurdle at the very least to get through the allotted game time and feel good about himself, and sleep well tonight and look forward to a game next week is something he hasn't had the luxury of for quite a long time.

"We're all thrilled for him."