Tuohy happy as leader

ZACH Tuohy readily acknowledges it’s somewhat bizarre. The Irishman — who grew up a Gaelic football star — only played his first match of Australian rules in 2010.

But due to a spate of injuries and retirements, 28-year-old Tuohy is not only the most experienced member of the Geelong defensive unit named to take on Sydney today — he’s played more matches at the top level than the other five combined.

“Especially having just ticked over my 150th game last week, you let your mind wander a bit and drift back to when I first got contacted by Carlton and the AFL,” Tuohy said.

“One game seems a million miles away, never mind 100 or 150.

“It is a bit odd, but any success I may have had can firmly be laid at the feet of the coach- es who have helped me along the way.”

With Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson out injured, Tuohy has welcomed the opportunity to play a leadership role in a back six alongside first-year sensation Jack Henry and Jordan Cunico, who had only played one senior game before 2018.

“I’m really proud of the young group we have,” Tuohy said. “Jack Henry has been here for five minutes and the steps he’s taken already are incredible.

“Tom Stewart has gone to a new level and Jed Bews has been around for a few years.

“I’m enjoying my new role, but it’s not just me leading down there. It’s some of those younger guys too.”

Sydney will be without superstar spearhead Lance Franklin (bruised heel) and midfield tyro Dan Hannebery (groin) for today’s clash at GMHBA Stadium. No-one is pretending Franklin’s absence won’t be a huge loss for the Sydney attack, but it does give the Swans a more unpredictable look, with mid-sized speedsters Gary Rohan and Isaac Heeney named in the key forward posts.

“There’s more of an unknown now,” said Tuohy.

“In a way it’s a bit of a concern because they are going to take different avenues to goal.”

Sydney is the only team to have defeated Geelong on its home deck in the Cats’ past 20 matches — and the Swans have done it twice in a row.

The Cats have taken a conservative approach with their leading goalscorer of 2018, Dan Menzel, who misses with groin soreness. But that loss has been countered by the return of Tom Hawkins and Cory Gregson.

The sixth-placed Cats and 10th-ranked Swans are among nine teams boasting 3-2 records on a congested ladder. EMG: