Zach Tuohy’s limited memorabilia from his AFL career has a new and treasured addition.
The Geelong star says he was not far off “blubbering” when he was honoured on the ground after Sunday’s 62-point win over North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.
It was Tuohy’s 265th match, meaning he went past Melbourne great Jim Stynes for the most AFL games by an Irishman.
In the post-match presentation, the Stynes family gave Tuohy a Melbourne guernsey featuring No.11 – the number made famous by the Demons Brownlow Medallist.
“I was one or two more sentences away from blubbering down the mic,” Tuohy said of his post-game speech to the crowd.
“I do feel like the bad guy in the movie because Jim’s everyone’s hero, but I wasn’t really expecting the jumper they gifted me at the end.
“I’m not super sentimental with footy memorabilia, but that is taking pride of place in the Tuohy house, well and truly above any of my own jumpers or anything I’ve done.”
Tuohy delighted the Cats fans by trying one of his trademark torpedoes from fullback in the last quarter, although he didn’t quite nail the kick.
The quick-witted Irishman also tried to mark the occasion with a goal, later explaining ambition had outstripped ability.
“To be fair they (teammates) tried to feed me in the second quarter and then North were well and truly on to it in that last 10 minutes,” he said.
“I got very delusional at the end. I was calling for it in on the top of three ruckmen’s heads and thinking I was going to do something I haven’t done in 14 years.
“But it doesn’t (worry) me, it’s extra special and if anything it makes it a bit more humorous, which is how I’d prefer to have it.”
Cats coach Chris Scott said Geelong were blessed that Tuohy came to them from Carlton at the end of 2016.
“He’s just been amazing for our footy club,” Scott said. “I sincerely believe Geelong will look back and say, ‘We were lucky to have had him’.
“He’ll be in the history books forever.”
Scott said he was also emotional post-match about Tuohy’s achievement.
“It’s a familiar situation with Zach – you’re tearing up for one reason or another, most of the time because he’s making you laugh,” Scott said.
“The moments we’ve shared together are going to be really special to me.”