Zach Tuohy has declared his “definite” availability to play for Portloaise at the end of the 2025 season, but the unrestricted free agent is under no illusions that his Geelong AFL career could end next month.
Tuohy, 34, one of only three Irish players in history to win an AFL Premiership has been rested every few weeks this season to manage a chronic knee condition but given a choice the former Carlton player hopes to extend his 13-year AFL career by one more year.
“I will be playing for Portloaise at the end of 2025 because I will be going straight home one way or another,” Tuohy said.
“That’s definitely on the cards.
“In terms of next year, mentally I am in a really good space and physically I am feeling good but at my age that can all change pretty quickly.
“But the body has held up because I have been rested every few weeks which has helped.
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“I still love footy, but if it is to be my last year (2024) I am ready to move on and start the next chapter in my life and I will absolutely be playing for Portlaoise.”
Last year, Tuohy, now an Australian citizen, broke the late Jimmy Stynes’s 264-match record for the most number of AFL senior game played by an Irishman.
“It’s humbling and surprising,” Tuohy said.
“I don’t feel I deserve that accolade because of the esteem in which Jim is held.
“I feel a bit embarrassed by it.”
