Carlton’s prized draftee Troy Menzel is confident the knee injuries that plagued his junior days will not return to haunt him at AFL level.

The prodigiously talented 18-year-old believes his knees are as structurally strong as any other player and, consequently, are no more susceptible to serious injury.

Menzel, who returns to the Blues' line-up for his third AFL game against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, says he hasn't suffered any further knee problems in his debut season.

The jury is still out on that, and will be for several years, but so far so good.

Leading into last year's NAB AFL Draft, the only query on Menzel was: are his knees ticking time-bombs?

The classy left-footer from South Australia underwent LARS surgery on his right knee as a 16-year-old.

Last year, while playing for SANFL club Central District, Menzel damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which would limit his first AFL pre-season.

And, of course, he is a younger brother of cursed Geelong forward Daniel Menzel, who is recovering from a remarkable fourth knee reconstruction.

Some believe that if not for these reservations, the younger Menzel would have been a top-three draft pick.

Instead, several potential suitors baulked at him, and he slipped through to Carlton's first pick, No.11. Knees permitting, many believe that in time Menzel might well be regarded as the steal of the 2012 draft.

While Blues fans are still holding their breath and hoping for the best, Menzel doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.

"The knees have been rock-solid. I've got great confidence in them, especially the LARS one, which has been great since the operation," Menzel told AFL.com.au.

"They weren't structural injuries; they've been unlucky ones caused by impact. I don't think I've got too much to worry about structurally, as long as I'm doing the right weights. Those kinds of injuries could happen to anyone, and I don't think I'm any more likely to have another one than anyone else.

"I don't even think about my knees when I'm training and playing. If you do, you're not focusing on what you should be doing."

It's a mature, thoughtful response, and one that Menzel has had more time to ponder than he'd like, given he and his brother's history.

He regularly spends time with his 21-year-old, 21-game sibling, who he regards as an inspiration.

"Seeing how positive and upbeat Daniel has been as he goes through it all, and how confident he is that he's going to get back, that definitely gives me confidence as well," he said.

"No one ever knows how long they're going to be at an AFL club, so you've just got to try to make the most of your opportunities and have no regrets later on."

Menzel's official, club-appointed mentor is small forward Eddie Betts, who is out of contract at season's end.

"Eddie's a very down-to-earth character and he's a great mentor who's always ready to give me advice from his experiences," he said. "I hope I get to work with him a lot in the forward line over the next few years.

"I love seeing how hard Eddie and Dennis Armfield work on the track. It shows me what I need to do to be a regular in the AFL team."

Coach Mick Malthouse has also been "really positive" in his dealings with the youngster.

"I didn't have much of a pre-season, so Mick kept it pretty simple: he just wanted me to work on my fitness and build on my forward pressure," he said. "I reckon I'm improving in both areas. I feel the fittest I've been all year."

At VFL level, Menzel has played at half-forward with occasional bursts in the midfield. He enjoys it, but the gifted goalkicker has set his sights on a more pivotal role.

"I'd love to become a full-time midfielder. I played the majority of my junior footy in the midfield and that's where I want to get back to eventually," he said. "Like most players, you love being where the action is. The challenge for me is to build up to that and show I can do it."

After Menzel's debut against Port Adelaide in round eight, Malthouse predicted he would be a better player at AFL level than in the VFL because he was a smart footballer who would thrive on better delivery. Menzel would like to think this will be the case.

"I'm mainly an outside player so I like the space on the bigger grounds, so that might make it easier in some ways to get a touch in the AFL," he explained. "We'll have to wait and see if Mick's correct. It'd be nice if he is."