'Surreal' moment for Zach Tuohy - Irish AFL record-breaker

Zach Tuohy is set to break the all-time record appearance for an Irish player in the VFL/AFL when he lines out for Geelong against North Melbourne on Sunday.

It will be appearance number 265 for the Portlaoise native, who so far has spent 14 seasons Down Under. Prior to leaving, Tuohy won a Leinster minor football title with Laois.

Last week's draw with Sydney saw Tuohy draw level with the late Jim Stynes on 264 appearances. He told Geelong's website that he never envisioned make such a mark on the game when he arrived in Australia in 2009.

"The goal for me coming out was to play one game," Tuohy said. "I'm not sure how to feel because Jim’s everyone’s hero".

And as for making more history this weekend, the 33-year-old added: "I'm obviously super appreciative of the recognition.

"I haven't really thought about it until recent weeks when it got closer, I wasn't sure what to expect in the build up to it. The club are really good at celebrating our people so it's nice.

"I must admit, it was never really something I thought about but now that it's right here, it does feel a bit surreal.

"Maybe 100-games seemed like a good effort for an Irish player. I genuinely never thought I'd get here, not that I thought I couldn't, it was just never on the horizon for me."

Tuohy made his AFL debut with Carlton in 2011 and played with the club until 2016 before requesting a trade to Geelong.

In September 2020 he became just the second Irish player, after Stynes, to reach the 200 appearance landmark and he played his 250th game in last season’s Grand Final where Geelong were too good for the Sydney Swans.