FANS and players have rallied around luckless Daniel Menzel after the Cats announced that the 22-year-old’s season is over.

In another devastating setback, Menzel will not play a game this season as he fights a losing battle with tendinitis in his three-times reconstructed left knee.

Menzel first experienced the tendinitis on the eve of the season but was still hoping to return by July in the VFL.

But those plans have since been dashed, and the Cats are building a plan towards the 2015 pre-season.

Can't wait to see you out there in 2015 @DanielMenzel10. Full Pre-Season under your belt, raring to go, and back to beating @swandane 1 on 1 — Nic Gysen (@gysenn) May 21, 2014

@DanielMenzel10 @GeelongCats you're an inspiration Menz I'd lend you both my knees if I could. Chin up and we will see you in 2015! — Andrew McCarthy (@A_McCarthy_) May 21, 2014

Another setback for @DanielMenzel10 - got to give it to him though for never giving up. — Aubrey Hamlett (@aubreyhamlett) May 21, 2014

Speedy forward Allen Christensen also leapt to Menzel’s defence after a fan suggested that he must be cut from the team.

@pwilkins10 @GeelongCats what a silly thing to say — Allen Christensen (@achristensen_28) May 21, 2014

“Dan has experienced some soreness in his knee and after meeting with specialists it has been determined he will not play this season,” Geelong football manager Neil Balme said today.

“The reconstruction is progressing well. Part of Dan’s patella tendon was used in the graft and this is the area that is causing the problems.

“We are looking at the long-term here, so there is no point rushing Dan’s return. The focus is ensuring Dan is at his best when he comes back to play.

“Our medical team will continue to work with him on his rehabilitation and remain confident that Dan will be ready for pre-season.”

Menzel is stranded on 21 AFL games and has not played at the elite level since the 2011 qualifying final.