Zach Tuohy’s mammoth 70m barrel torpedo against St Kilda stuns commentators

This perfectly-executed barrel kick from Geelong Cats defender Zach Tuohy threatened to make contact with the roof at Marvel Stadium.

Zach Tuohy of the Cats.

Geelong defender Zach Tuohy set social media alight on Friday evening with a mammoth 70m barrel kick against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

Early in the first quarter, Tuohy stunned the Channel 7 commentary team when he booted the Sherrin near the centre circle from a kick-in.

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After running a few metres out of the goalsquare, the 31-year-old’s torpedo came close to hitting the venue’s roof before landing past the centre of the field.

The footy dribbled near Geelong’s forward 50m arc before Cats young gun Quinton Narkle attempted a shot at goal — missing for a behind.

“A big, big barrel, right into the centre of the stadium,” commentator James Brayshaw cried.

“What about that? We need to have another look at this.

“I haven’t seen a ball go that close to the roof since (Big Bash cricketer) Aaron Finch, playing for the Renegades.

“He’ll be watching, Finchy, he’s a big Cats fan. He still believes that’s the farthest a cricket ball has ever been hit.”

Tuohy just launched a torp from the kick-out that went to the other half-forward line 🤯#AFLSaintspic.twitter.com/P985mGy0ik

— AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2021

Zach Tuohy with a serious punting audition #AFLSaintsCats

— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) May 14, 2021

Footy great Brian Taylor continued: “Look at that! It’s gone past the centre circle!

“Have another look at it — the connection was fantastic.

“It’s almost hit the roof!”

The commentators agreed the footy would have travelled more than 70 metres — the Irishman’s kick was reminiscent of teammate Mitch Duncan’s torpedo goal from late April.

“I’m surprised why teams don’t do it more often, especially with the zone starting 30m further back,” Hawthorn great Luke Hodge said.

“You can get a good run and kick at it.”

Geelong ultimately clinched a 10.8 (68) to 5.17 (47) victory, their sixth win of the season.

Speaking to Channel 7 after the match, Tuohy assured viewers he still hasn’t perfected the lost art.

“I’ll let you know when I master (barrel torpedo kicks),” he said.

“It was one of my better ones … tonight in these conditions, a barrel is on the cards.”

Tuohy finished the round nine contest with 31 disposals, six marks, two clearances and a game-high 593 metres gained.

"In these conditions, the barrel is on the cards."

Zach Tuohy explains his kick-in strategy pic.twitter.com/KnlWKWY8XJ

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 14, 2021

St Kilda paid the price for a horror night in front of goal, living up to their reputation as the worst set-shot team in the competition on Friday.

Their key forwards repeatedly missed easy set shots for goal in the first half, with three of them occurring inside the opening eight minutes.

Max King ended up the biggest culprit with 1.5 – the most costly of his misses a set shot from directly in front late in the final quarter which could have cut the deficit to 11 points, but instead hit the post.

St Kilda’s Max King,

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Instead of taking an early 18-point lead and shooting out of the blocks, St Kilda only led by three, and despite their superior pressure and territory dominance in the first half, it ultimately counted for naught as they failed to translate it onto the scoreboard.

St Kilda’s first nine scoring shots were all behinds, and they finished up with a woeful 5.17.

After falling eight points behind late in the second quarter and absorbing all of the Saints’ best shots, the Cats hit back hard like top teams do, making the Saints pay the price for their inaccuracy by kicking six of the next seven goals.

Cameron Guthrie was the main reason why the Cats were still in the contest during the St Kilda onslaught, continuing his spectacular season with another best-on-ground performance.

— with NCA NewsWire