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Geelong defender Zach Tuohy has flown the Portlaiose flag around the MCG, praising his family for their support back in Ireland that helped get him through “tough” times.
Tuohy won his first AFL premiership in what was his 250th AFL game on Saturday, becoming just the second Irishman to win a flag as the Cats thumped Sydney by 81 points.
The 32-year-old played 120 games for Carlton before moving to Geelong at the end of 2016 and on Saturday was praised by fellow international recruit Mason Cox for overcoming the adversity that comes with such a big move.
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“ I appreciate that, I appreciate the message,” Tuohy told foxfooty.com.au post-game.
“Every player has tough times, but I think the homesickness is a unique experience for the Irish guys. Although players shift states, you can’t even pick up the phone at all times to call your family because it’s the middle of the night.
“Even that alone I think people probably don’t appreciate how hard that can be.”
During Tuohy’s early days in Australia, he admitted he struggled with the shift.
“I’m lucky to be in the environment I’m in, but there were a lot of bad days early,” he said.
“We’re in a privileged position, I don’t want anybody’s sympathy, but it is hard, especially when you’re 18 and I’d never left Ireland by myself, much less come to Australia.
“A lot of good people got me to where I am, but it’s tough.”
Tuohy’s move to the Cats – along with wife Bec and sons Flynn and Rafferty – was in part to chase premiership success that he never truly was in the window for at the Blues.
“It’s a big part of why I came here. Geelong’s reputation is a club that constantly competes at the pointy end,” he said.
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“It doesn’t guarantee anything, but to finally have one, talking to Jez (Jeremy Cameron) just then and he made a very good point, no matter what happens this can’t be taken from us.
“We’re premiership players, it’s nice.”
Tuohy spent the post-match draped in a Portlaoise flag – a small town in the South Midlands of Ireland that he hails from.
“I know it (premiership) means a lot to my family especially, even more than me,” he said.
“We talked and it feels a bit like it’s full circle. I’ve got a Portlaoise flag, which is where I started. It hasn’t sunk in.
“I tried FaceTime-ing in my parents out on the ground and showed them and I couldn’t hear a thing to be honest.
“Everyone got up and watched. This is honestly as much for them and particularly my parents.
“You want good values and good people around, I’m just so lucky to have the parents I have, honestly.
“It was a 530AM start I think. Everybody got up, all my mates got up, the extended family got up and it would have been a shame to ruin their good night’s sleep for no reason.”
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