Geelong Cats cult hero Zach Tuohy breaks AFL record

Geelong Cats cult hero Zach Tuohy has gone into the AFL history books, breaking a longstanding record in a thumping win.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Zach Tuohy of the Cats receives a guard of honour as he leaves the field with his children Flynn and Rafferty during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the Geelong Cats and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium on July 9, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Zach Tuohy has broken the record for the most V/AFL games played by an Irishman in Geelong’s 62-point win over North Melbourne on Sunday.

The Cats kicked eight goals in the opening term to take a huge early lead over the Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium and cruised to a 19.11 (125) to 9.9 (63) victory.

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Tuohy has long been a fixture of Geelong’s backline and he surpassed Jim Stynes’ longheld mark of 264 games for Melbourne, during which the legendary Demons ruckman won the 1991 Brownlow Medal.

The 33-year-old was recognised in a post-game ceremony, with Stynes’ family presenting him with an old Stynes jersey, while Tuohy also gave them a token of appreciation.

Tuohy was also given the official match ball to keep.

The mild-mannered Irishman said it was an honour to be in the company of the revered Stynes, who was a trailblazer for Gaelic footballers who have come to Australia to try their hand at Aussie Rules.

Zach Tuohy after breaking the record for most AFL games by an Irishman. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Chris Scott shows Zach Tuohy some love. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Tuohy said he had “an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the Geelong people and the supporters”.

“It’s such a privilege to play for this club and to get mentioned in any way alongside someone like Jim Stynes — he’s a hero to me and it’s an honour,” he added.

“Jim is an absolute inspiration and it’s bordering on slightly embarrassing for me to be alongside him, that’s how highly I hold him. Thank you to the Stynes family.”

Zach Tuohy is the best 🥰 https://t.co/bZkto51Y70

— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall) July 9, 2023

Underestimated how difficult the achievement & how highly regarded Zach Tuohy is by Geelong - both club and town. You guess the Irish respect him & love him too. Humility was on show this week as he passed Jim Stynes games record most games by an Irishman.

— peter ryan (@petryan) July 8, 2023

Tuohy was one of three Irishman to line up for Geelong on Sunday, along with Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin, who is in his first season with the Cats.

He’s the second player to break a significant AFL record this weekend.

On Friday night, Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury broke Robert Harvey’s record for the most total disposals on record in V/AFL history.

Geelong, the defending premiers, are now into the top eight and are finding form as they chase a spot in finals.