When Carlton’s Troy Menzel was taken by the Blues with the 11^th pick at the 2012 National Draft, there was much made of his exceptional goal sense and ability to put scores on the board.

In 2014, the 19-year-old from South Australia is enjoying his best season yet – and showing everyone what all the fuss was about.

Menzel has kicked 22 goals from his 15 games this season, placing him second on the goal-kicking tally behind the in-form Lachie Henderson.

The Rising Star nominee hit the ground running right from the start of his career, impressing with the Northern Blues at the start of 2013, before earning a promotion the senior side in Round 8 of last season.

He put together three two-goal hauls in a row leading into the 2013 finals series and appeared in Carlton’s elimination final winning side against Richmond.

To find out more about Menzel’s development, we caught up with Carlton’s forward-line coach Brad Green, who knew of the young gun’s potential right from then outset.

“With Troy, we always knew he had the talent … (we got him at pick 11 but) he was shown as a top three pick and he’s certainly showing that talent now,” Green said.

“He’s got terrific awareness, he knows where the goals are, he’s a great lead, great mark, got great hands. He’s … got the all-round game.”

While Green highlighted Menzel’s talent, he also suggested an area for improvement.

“The thing that we’ve tried to work hard with Menz is his fitness. He didn’t have a great pre-season but we’re trying to top that as we go,” Green said.

“He’s doing extras in the altitude room to improve the fitness so we don’t just get three quarters of a performance, we get four quarters.

“That’s an ongoing thing that’s he’s going to have to improve over the next couple of years.”

Menzel has cemented himself in the Carlton forward line this year, but Green hinted that he could become a midfielder in the future.

“I think he’s got great potential to move into the midfield, he’s got great hands, which you need to be a one touch player at stoppages,” Green said.

“As a forward you can get shutdown pretty easy in modern footy so for him to get in the game and get around the ball (is important).

“But to start with he needs to improve his tank and get that better but down the track he certainly can go into a midfield role and play well there.”

While Menzel has kicked a very respectable 22 goals this season, Green is forecasting more.

“Menz has got potential to kick 40-50 goals a year and if it (doesn’t) win him the goal-kicking competition at Carlton, it would go close,” Green said.

“Jeffy Garlett kicked 45, Andrew Walker’s won it with 50 and those aren’t tall guys.

“He has got the potential to be a leading goalkicker here … depends what Hendo turns into, depends if we bring someone in, but he’s got great potential to be there and could win it this year.”