ZACH TUOHY WILL play his 248 AFL game this Saturday as Geelong take on Collingwood in the qualifying final at the MCG.
There is no place for Kerry native Mark O’Connor, although he could be included as a medical substitute. The Cats will name their replacement an hour before first bounce.
Tuohy has played 21 games this season and is in search of his first Premiership. The last Irishman to win it was Tadhg Kennelly in 2005.
Geelong finished the regular season top of the ladder on the back of a 13-game winning streak. They play fourth-placed Collingwood. In the other qualifying final, Melbourne take on Sydney.
The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals. The loser of Saturday’s game will play the winner of the first elimination final, Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs. The other elimination final sees Brisbane play Richmond on Thursday.
Fine player and was guaranteed choice for team of the year. Here’s hoping to more like him coming through
@Shaun Gallagher: sure Porter is not far off him as it is. He would certainly have been fighting it out for a starting berth on the Lions team if it wasn’t for his injury
Over the years tight head props were at least perceived as being slower and less skilful than loose heads. A few years ago before he hit the interprovincial and international stage I asked him if he ever considered switching to loose. He looked at me like I had 2 heads. But after I explained that with his speed and skills he might get more freedom and be on the ball more often at loose he didn’t knock me off my barstool. He said that he would be sticking with tight but would show that modern No 3s
could have all the skills and still anchor the scrum. How right he was. He has set the standard for tight heads worldwide. Brilliant rugby player.
@JG: this is a bit like the Michael Owen BBC sports personality of the year tweet!
Wonderful player great watching him play long may he last
I wonder is he better than Peter Clohessy was?
Just curious but he is one hell of a player
@O’Brien Michael: Claw was a legend but he was a penalty machine. Also, Furlong has broken the mold with his handling and footwork. That simply didn’t exist for props 15 years back.
@Steve O’Farrell: thats a fair comment old chap
A super player, why wouldn’t he amd his mother a Cork woman, but he tries (pun) to keep that quiet.
Great article, and a super player .let’s hope he stays injury free for the next World Cup . Well need all his skills to table for that .
Not only is he the best tighthead in the world at the moment, he is arguably the greatest tighthead prop there has ever been.
G’wan Tadhg ur a ⭐️