The recruitment of Zach Tuohy is one of Geelong’s greatest trades of the modern era, writes Cam Mooney

Irishman Zach Tuohy is one of Geelong’s greatest ever trades and underlines the cultural power of mature age recruits, Cam Mooney writes.

Geelong defender Zach Tuohy will break fellow countryman Jim Stynes’ record for the most AFL games by an Irishman this Sunday against North Melbourne.

It’s an incredible achievement on a couple of fronts, ensuring the Cats have remained a force ever since he joined the fold.

The fact he will play game 265 in the hoops is particularly special for Tuohy and the club itself.

It also underlines the cultural power of recruiting mature-aged players.

Seven years ago, a 26-year-old Tuohy requested a trade from Carlton, and since then he’s become a major reason for Geelong’s sustained, first rate culture.

Zach Tuohy marks against the Sydney Swans in round 16 at the SCG. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

All great clubs have great winning cultures, and the players are obviously the key driver of it.

And Geelong simply would not have maintained their enviable standards for so long – close to two decades – without the right personnel.

Think of the three-peat teams of the modern era, like Hawthorn and Brisbane.

Their champion players also drove a winning culture.

The Lions are the greatest team I’ve seen or played against, they used to bash the hell out of us back in the day.

But, unlike Geelong after their three flags in five seasons, Brisbane’s winning culture quickly disappeared as those champion players left the scene after the 2004 grand final.

Tuohy will play game number 265 in round 17 against North Melbourne. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The Cats have managed to re-energise the club by bringing in older players with a strong sense of culture.

And Tuohy is close to the top of the list this century for key Cat acquisitions in this regard.

In fact, I reckon he’s one of the great trades Geelong has ever pulled off.

Geelong should be really proud of helping turn Tuohy into arguably the second best Irishman behind Stynes, a Brownlow medallist and a true pioneer.

Sydney’s premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly also has to be in the frame.

Tuohy was a good young player learning his craft at the Blues, but he’s become one of the Cats’ best down back.

It’s easy to say in hindsight, but Geelong was obviously the perfect place for him in his career when he sought a change of scenery.

He also looks like a big brother to fellow Irishmen Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin.

On the subject of greatest-ever Geelong trades, the recruitment of Brad Ottens in 2004 is the clear leader.

Ottens would not only become a three-time premiership player but a driver of change.

Crucially, he came on board when we were in the midst of improving our culture.

The other big ones have come in recent years: Patrick Dangerfield in 2015 and both Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Smith five years later.

Tom Hawkins and Brad Ottens at training in 2011. Picture: Peter Ristevski.

While they entered a ready-made culture at GMHBA, they made the place better.

Unlike rookies, the trio understood footy at the elite level, its demands, their own games and what needs to happen behind the four walls of a club to get success.

All of a mature age with young families, they not only adapted to the culture quickly, but enhanced it after pulling on the hoops.

It’s why Geelong remains a great place to finish your career, or to simply reinvigorate yourself.

Dangerfield, Cameron and Smith might get a lot of the plaudits and the headlines, but Tuohy is just as important down at Geelong.

His recruitment is one of the Cats’ great success stories of the modern era.

Originally published as The recruitment of Zach Tuohy is one of Geelong’s greatest trades of the modern era, writes Cam Mooney