Zach Tuohy has enjoyed a highly successful career in Australia
Zach Tuohy has agreed a new deal with Geelong, extending his record-breaking Aussie Rules career into a 15th season.
The former Laois underage star had been in talks with the club since the end of their season – and, according to the AFL website, he has now finalised a one-year extension that will see him remain with the Cats for an eighth season.
Tuohy, who turns 34 in December, previously played with Carlton before switching to Geelong at the end of 2016.
The Portlaoise native broke Jim Stynes’ long-standing record as the most-capped Irish player in AFL history when he ran out for the 265th time against North Melbourne in round 17 of this year’s campaign. His appearance total has subsequently risen to 270.
He is just one of three Irish ex-pats to win a Premiership title – Tadhg Kennelly and Mark O’Connor being the others – following Geelong’s Grand Final defeat of Sydney last year.
This came in his 250th game, and the veteran played a further 20 times in 2023 even as the Cats suffered a post-title slump and eventually finished 12th in the table, failing to reach the finals stages.
Tuohy is one of seven Irishmen to play at least 100 times in the AFL, with his Kerry native teammate O’Connor (109) and Brisbane’s Tyrone recruit, Conor McKenna (103) reaching that milestone in recent months.