Daniel Menzel’s shocking run of knee reconstructions means Geelong will never offer him a long-term AFL deal.

But coach Chris Scott says the forward would not be the first high-level player to make the most of a succession of one-year contracts.

Menzel has made a strong start to the season and kicked five goals in Sunday’s win over St Kilda.

His AFL career was nearly ruined by a horror run of four knee reconstructions and he played no senior games from the 2011 qualifying final to round 22, 2015.

“The thing that Dan understands really clearly, and I’ve had this discussion with him again recently, he’s just not a candidate for a long-term contract, given his injury history,” Scott told AFL 360 on Fox Footy.

“No responsible club would do that and he understands that really well.

“It doesn’t preclude you from playing good footy.”

There was strong speculation Menzel would leave after last season, as he and Geelong struggled to reach agreement on his contract.

Eventually, he signed a one-year agreement and Scott strongly refuted talk that the Cats were shopping Menzel around as a potential trade.

“Can I clear that up, because I’ve heard that quite a few times – we never, ever offered Dan Menzel as a trade,” Scott said.

“He’s an unrestricted free agent.

“It took a long time to get the deal done, so there was some possibility he might leave, but there wouldn’t have been any compensation (for the club).”

Scott said he has to stop himself thinking “what if” in terms of Menzel’s career, given the wretched injury luck the 26-year-old has overcome.

“We’re thrilled for him,”‘ Scott said.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t go back to that fantasy of what could have been, but it’s hard.”