Geelong premiership player and Ireland superstar Zach Tuohy has decided to hang up the boots at the completion of the 2024 season, with the club well within premiership contention.
Tuohy - who is a modern trailblazer for International players - was first sighted by AFL recruiters in 2009 and subsequently signed by Carlton out of Portlaoise in County Laois, Ireland, early the following year.
After a positive start in the navy blue, playing 120 games after being selected with Pick 73 in the 2010 Rookie Draft, Tuohy became a Cat via the 2016 trade period.
Since then, the right-footer has played 166 matches in the hoops and was also a pivotal cog in the club's 2022 premiership team.
Tuohy followed the footsteps of Melbourne great Jim Stynes, who was the only Irish-born player to feature in 200 AFL games, with Tuohy eventually topping Stynes' match record.
Among announcing his retirement, the 34-year-old said he was appreciative of the support he had received throughout his career.
โWhile 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. 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,โ Tuohy said.
Geelong GM of Football Andrew Mackie celebrated Tuohy's accomplishments and career, saying he had left his trademark skills and iconic moustache on the club.
โZach has been a skilful, durable and flexible player across his eight seasons in the hoops. 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," Mackie said.
โHe is a loved and respected teammate and has contributed greatly to the environment of our club.
โWe thank Zach, his wife Rebecca and children Flynn and Rafferty for their contribution to our club."
Geelong's 2024 campaign is far from over, with the club all but certain to lock up a top-four finish after their Round 24 clash with West Coast at GMHBA Stadium.
Tuohy joins Cats legend Tom Hawkins in hanging up the boots at season's end, with the key forward keen to return to the senior side after injuring his ankle two months ago.
The Cats are likely to face Sydney at the SCG in the first week of the finals.
