Tuohy off the mark as Blues career blossoms

ZACH TUOHY scored his first AFL goal in only his second game yesterday as his Carlton side trounced a Brisbane side that included Pearce Hanley by 124-63 to move third in the league.

Tuohy became the first Irish-born player to play for Carlton since Monaghan native Fred Scott in May 1904, when making his debut last week, with Setanta Ó hAilpín having been born in Sydney.

While he was a substitute in Round 11, he was promoted to a starting role due to injuries to Ó hAilpín (wrist) and Jarrad Waite (hamstring).

And the former Portlaoise and Laois ace repaid coach Brett Ratten’s faith by being named as one of Carlton’s best on ground.

The 21-year-old carried his sensational Victoria Football League form with the Northern Bullants into the big league by accumulating 20 possessions and distributing with 75% efficiency. He also picked up three ‘one-percenters’, which is the term given for blocks, flicks and other similar last-ditch spoiling plays.

Tuohy has always had an eye for goal and prior to settling down as a forward in football, scored two goals as captain from wing-back to rescue a draw for Laois minors against Derry in the 2007 All-Ireland semi-final.

His maiden goal in the AFL came with six minutes remaining as the Blues coasted to victory. The international rookie marked from Nick Duigan’s short kick before launching a massive effort from outside the 50m line that travelled all the way for a memorable six-pointer.

His reaction was muted enough, as he turned to go back to his position and just raised his right forefinger skyword. The same couldn’t be said of his team-mates though, who pounced on the Irishman with congratulatory claps and hugs as they acknowledged the magnitude of the milestone.

Jason Dunstall, who is the third highest leading goalscorer in the history of the AFL, was full of praise for Tuohy.

“That’s what confidence does,” said Dunstall. “He’s had 19 touches now, he’s kicked his first goal, he’s kicking at 75%, brimming with confidence and having a ping from 53m… it’s just a real fantastic reward for a lad that would have sacrificed a fair bit to have a crack at AFL footy. Well done young fella.”

Brisbane have been having a torrid season, recording just two wins but Hanley has been amongst their most consistent performers. He dropped from that level in this heavy defeat but still managed 16 possessions in a team that was wiped out from start to finish.

Tadhg Kennelly had a similar statistic as Sydney ground down Richmond in typical fashion to win 75-65.