Geelong defender Zach Tuohy impressed by emerging Cats Jack Henry and Mark O’Connor
Geelong’s stars often get the limelight, but two Cats snagged in the rookie draft are receiving plenty of praise internally. And a Cats teammate believes the duo will be 10 year players for the club.
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Geelong’s bevy of superstars attract most of the attention down at the Cattery, but defender Zach Tuohy has shone a light on two of its youngsters.
Skipper Joel Selwood got the Cats over the line on Friday night with a best-on-ground display while Patrick Dangerfield stood up late with some massive contested marks.
But it is emerging Cats Jack Henry and Mark O’Connor - who were both drafted in 2016 as rookies - that have really impressed Tuohy in 2019.
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“There’s two players who are going to be ten year players for this club,” Tuohy said on Channel 7’s Game Day
Henry has spent time in defence and attack in his third year for the club, but it’s up forward where he has played an important role for the team.
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“There’s been games this year for about 15-20 minutes in games where Jack (Henry) has been the one who has kept it pretty much locked inside our forward 50,” Tuohy said
(He’s) Brave, really good in the air. He roams around our forward line up in our half of the ground and reads it really well.”
He was also full of praise for fellow Irishman Mark O’Connor — who he affectionately refers to as ‘The Shark — who has cemented a spot in the Cats side this season.
The former category rookie has averaged just under 14 touches and five intercepts per game in defence, playing 22 games in 2019.
“From day dot it was clear to me he was going to have a long career because he is probably the most professional and switched on player I’ve seen,” Tuohy said
“For a guy that didn’t grow up the sport it’s pretty impressive. Hard as nails, doesn’t care about himself and cares about the team.”
Tuohy says the minor premiers are ready for the challenge that the barnstorming Tiger side presents.
“This is why we play, games like this is why I came to Geelong,” Tuohy said.
“They’ve probably been the best team in the comp for the past couple of years.
Richmond at the ‘G is probably the toughest task in the game right now and it’s going to be huge. We can’t wait.”
Originally published as Geelong defender Zach Tuohy impressed by emerging Cats Jack Henry and Mark O’Connor