Portlaoise legend Zach Tuohy, 34, has announced his Australian rules retirement at the end of the 2024 campaign.
Last year, Tuohy, now an Australian citizen, broke the late Jimmy Stynes’s 264-match record for the most number of AFL senior games played by an Irishman.
In 2022 the former Carlton player became one of only three Irish players to win a Premiership when he celebrated Geelong’s memorable victory in the season decider against the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
With the final round of regular season matches scheduled for this weekend, Tuohy is expected to add to his career tally of 286 senior games (120 for Carlton and 166 to date for Geelong) but will fall just short of joining the 300-game club which only has 104 members.
“While there is a lot of footy left to play this year, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all the members and fans for their support,” Tuohy said.
“I knew when I came to the Cats I was in for a treat, and I didn’t think I fully appreciated just how incredible the journey would be.
“Geelong, the club and the city, has been incredible for me and my family. I consider myself a Geelong person forever off the back of your support.
“A lot of work left to do - I look forward to seeing everyone this weekend - but 2024, that’ll do me.”
Geelong Cats General Manager of Football Andrew Mackie acknowledged the esteem in which Tuohy is held in the AFL world as well as for his outstanding talent.
“Zach has been a skilful, durable and flexible player across his eight seasons in the hoops,” Mackie said.
“He will depart as the Irish games record holder, which is a remarkable achievement for someone who made the decision 15 years ago to leave home to travel across the world to play our game.
“He is a loved and respected teammate and has contributed greatly to the environment of our Club.”
And Mackie added: “We thank Zach, his wife Rebecca and children Flynn and Rafferty for their contribution to our Club.”
Tuohy has already stated his intention to return to the GAA and play for his beloved Portlaoise next year but beyond that he has no immediate plans for his retirement after 15 years in the AFL. He will hang up his boots with only one regret:
“One of my greatest regrets I have is that I didn’t get to meet Jim [Stynes] before he passed away,” Tuohy explained.
“I’d only been here a year or two, I had some other concerns at that time just in terms of playing and dealing with that early homesickness.
“I have no doubt that if Jim didn’t move to Australia, or if he wasn’t as good as he was, I never would’ve had the chance to play.
“There hadn’t been amazing success stories really, at least not enough for it to continue to be a good investment for clubs.
“So I owe my career to Jim.”