GEELONG'S Daniel Menzel has set his sights on round one of the VFL season, as he steps up his recovery from his third knee reconstruction.

The 21-year-old re-joined the Cats' main training group on Monday, receiving a round of applause from his teammates before his first session.

"It is nice to just get out there and get through all these sessions, which is a goal, and it's going well so far," he said.

Menzel secretly underwent LARS surgery on his left knee in December after damaging the joint during a tackling drill.

He had previously torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Geelong's VFL team against North Ballarat at Simonds Stadium in early June last year.

That match was his first competitive hit-out since he needed reconstructive surgery on his right knee after going down in the 2011 qualifying final win over Hawthorn.

Almost three months down the track from his third knee reconstruction, Menzel is concentrating on regaining his pace and agility.

"It's been a huge focus – a lot of speed work and things like that," he said.

"And I guess it's nice to come out here and do a bit of work with the boys and get through well. So it's been good."

Coping with the mental strain that comes with suffering three serious knee injuries has been Menzel's greatest challenge.

"I'm good now," he said. "It's tough early days, but I guess you can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, which is nice.

"I'm starting to get through it now, and I'm really enjoying it."

Menzel is already looking forward to testing himself in the early rounds of the VFL season.

"I'll play a few games there and see how we go, I guess," he said.

"It's just about getting the confidence back."

Daniel Menzel is a forward in AFL Fantasy. He did not play in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy hub.

Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol