Ever-reliable on the field and one of the game’s best characters off it, it is no surprise that the selfless Zach Tuohy remains humbled by the upcoming milestone awaiting him this Sunday.

When a 21-year-old from Portlaoise, County Laois in Ireland took to the field for his first AFL game in 2011, not many could have predicted the incredible career that lay ahead.

But Geelong champion, Zach Tuohy will break a 25-year record on Sunday when he runs out for his 265th AFL-game, more than any other Irish footballer in V/AFL history.

Tuohy will break the long-standing record held by Irish legend, Jim Stynes to further cement his legacy as one of the greatest international players to grace the competition.

Joining the Cats in 2017 after six-years with Carlton, Tuohy has played 144 of his 264-games in the blue and white hoops, quickly becoming a fan favourite with the Geelong faithful.

Tuohy said that the Irish record was never really on his radar, but he is grateful for the long career he has been able to enjoy in the AFL.

"I'm obviously super appreciative of the recognition,” Tuohy said. 

“I haven't really thought about it until recent weeks when it got closer, I wasn't sure what to expect in the build up to it. The club are really good at celebrating our people so it's nice." 

"I must admit, it was never really something I thought about but now that it's right here, it does feel a bit surreal. 

"My goal initially was to play one game, then maybe 100-games seemed like a good effort for an Irish player. I genuinely never thought I'd get here, not that I thought I couldn't, it was just never on the horizon for me."  

Tuohy has become an icon of the Geelong Football Club, with his ‘Moroccan Sunset’ moustache easily recognisable for even the most novice football supporter. 

Well-known for his monster torpedo’s out of full-back, Tuohy has played numerous positions for the Cats, spending most of his time in the back-line and on the wing but also pushing forward to hit the scoreboard at times. 

Meghan McDonald and Renee Garing also spoke on the impact of Tuohy around the football club, on the ‘To the Final Bell,' podcast.

“He has been so lovely and generous in the way he spoke about the club, saying that if he hadn't come to Geelong that the record might not have happened,” McDonald said. 

“He has experienced a club that empowers and enables him, and every day we see him doing that for other people and making it the place that it is.

"It couldn't be happening to a more wonderful person."

Tuohy achieved his dream of reaching the AFL’s pinnacle last season, where he played a crucial role in the Cats 2022 Premiership. 

“I made it pretty public that the only thing driving me, certainly since I got to Geelong was trying to win a premiership and anything else was a bonus,” Tuohy said. 

"It is nice to rack up some extra games, but my ultimate goal was achieved last year and now it's about trying to add to that tally." 

Tuohy also spoke on the impact of Stynes, touching on how he paved the way for Irish players to come out and build a career for themselves. 

"I don't think I appreciated the significance of the impact Jim Stynes had on the game, I only really got to understand it when I came out here,” Tuohy said. 

“He is everyone's hero; you almost feel guilty playing more games than him. I think it's mostly because I don't really feel like I belong in Jim's category as a player, and obviously not in terms of legacy.

"With Jim's legacy, I'm not sure how long clubs would continue to pursue Irish players if we didn't have Jim initially, then Sean Wight at the time and then Tadgh Kennelly.

"It's hard to know if I would've been given the opportunity to make it this far if those guys hadn't forged their careers before me."

Tuohy will break the record on Sunday afternoon, as the Cats take on North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.