AFL Grand Final: Premiership teammates and brothers Zach and Cam Guthrie celebrate their first flag

The Guthries have a pretty special relationship. The brothers are now premiership teammates at Geelong, but if it wasn’t for Cam, Zach would not be playing football.

Ben, Cam, Suzanne, Zach, Andrew and Josh Guthrie in the Geelong rooms after the AFL Grand Final win over Sydney. Picture: Alex Oates

FAMILIES filled the Geelong rooms after the club’s 81-point premiership win over Sydney, but there were no prouder parents than Andrew and Suzanne Guthrie.

The parents of now-premiership siblings Cam and Zach Guthrie watched on with pride as their children became the 24th set of brothers to win a premiership together, and the first since Gary and Nathan Ablett in 2007.

Andrew said his sons loved playing football together and had both earned the “ultimate success”.

Cam and Zach Guthrie became the first set of siblings to win a premiership as teammates since Gary and Nathan Ablett achieved the feat for Geelong in 2007. Picture: Daniel Pockett

“It’s something I would’ve loved to achieve as a kid, I always thought the dream would be to win the premiership as a team sport,” he said.

“I really felt really confident as the year went on that we could achieve the ultimate success and we managed to do it.

“We know what Zach can do and the club has been patient to allow him to grow into his body.

Cameron Guthrie of the Cats and brother Zach celebrate during the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans. Picture: Michael Willson

“He’s done an outstanding job and certainly Cam deserves a lot of praise for all the work he’s done with Zach to get him to the level he’s achieved this year.”

Suzanne said she felt “very relieved” her sons finally had a premiership medallion to cherish.

“It’s been a fabulous ride so far and the journey has been excellent, we couldn’t be more happy,” she said.

“It’s been a fantastic week, we’ve really embraced it as they say and try to enjoy every moment.

“It’s reward for effort for the boys and the whole team.”

Zach Guthrie wins his first premiership medallion for Geelong. Picture: Michael Willson

Zach paid tribute to Cam, and said he drove the standards as he “idolised” his older brother growing up.

“I owe a lot of this to him, he’s helped me massively throughout my footy journey and I wouldn’t be here without what he’s done for me,” he said.

“He really drove the standards for me as a younger brother, I got to watch what he did and learn about what I needed to do.

“It’s great to experience it with him, it was great to see him reach that flag, and to be there with him and winning it together is something I’ll cherish.

Cameron Guthrie of the Cats on stage after winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final, at Yarra Park on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Morgan Hancock

“It’s amazing to experience with him, he’s always helping me with things throughout the week, we went through a few different things during the week just to narrow the focus for me.”

Cam said it was “extra special” to win a premiership with Zach and to play with his family in the stands.

“If you told me at the start of the year that we’d be premiers and that I’d be playing with Zach I would’ve been rapt,” he said.

“They’ve been there from the start, they’re so supportive, they get to a lot of games, they fly interstate and I think they’re really proud of Zach and I.”

Originally published as AFL Grand Final: Premiership teammates and brothers Zach and Cam Guthrie celebrate their first flag