Zach Tuohy draws level with Jim Stynes in AFL appearances

Zach Tuohy's wonderful AFL career has reached another milestone as he drew level with the legendary Jim Stynes on 264 appearances.

Next Sunday, Tuohy is set to become the most capped Irish player ever in the sport when the Cats host North Melbourne with plenty of fanfare expected to mark the occasion.

The Laois man drew level with Stynes, who died in 2012, in Friday’s draw with Sydney, and 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.

"It’s strange to think I’ve been fortunate enough to get here and be part of that and [with] the Cats.

"When I reflect on getting to this milestone, I can’t help but think if I’d ended up anywhere else it wouldn’t have happened."

"I'm not sure how to feel because Jim’s everyone’s hero," he added.

Tuohy made his AFL debut with Carlton in 2011 and played with the club in 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 they destroyed the Swans.

Fellow Irish man Mark O’Connor was also part of that winning squad, and Tuohy said that Geelong’s Irish future is only set to get stronger.

"I love it, and the older I get the more I enjoy seeing Irish players coming out.

"Winning the Premiership last year with 'Shark’ [O’Connor] was one of the highlights, obviously winning the Premiership was a highlight but to do it with ‘Shark’ was incredible.

"We’ve got Oisín [Mullin] now, I think we were the first team ever to have three Irish guys in the same game.

"It’s an honour, we’re all super proud Irish people so it’s nice