Zach Tuohy, Carlton’s cheeky Irishman with the long leg, finished third in the Blues’ 2015 best and fairest count, polling 64 votes.

It was a close race for 'Big Nic', with only four points separating the top three place-getters: winner Patrick Cripps finished with 68 votes and runner-up Marc Murphy with 67.

Since joining Carlton in 2010 as an international rookie, it’s the highest Tuohy has polled in the John Nicholls Medal.

The defender was one of only four Blues to play every game this season, providing much-needed consistency and acting as a rock in Carlton’s defense.

After becoming a father for the first time last year, Tuohy praised his partner Bec for doing all the “heavy lifting” when it came to parenting duties during the season, allowing him to have a consistent year.

“Any good form I had this year I owe to her (Bec), she’s probably been the reason I’ve strung some quality games together,” he said.

The 25-year-old luckily didn’t forget to thank his parents, who have always supported him, even from the other side of the world.

“I owe everything to my parents. They are hard-working people and I doubt I’d be where I am if it weren’t for them.

“This is very much their accomplishment as it is mine.”

The hard-running defender was clearly humbled to accept the award in what has been a difficult year for the Club.

“Even through the bad times I consider myself very lucky I play for Carlton, I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else – I’m constantly honoured.

“I have made it my job and my mission to do whatever it takes to get this club back up to where it needs to be,” he said.

Since making his debut in Round 11, 2011, Tuohy has notched up 98 AFL games in the navy blue jumper. He says it’s going to be an “incredible honour” to have his name engraved on the No. 42 locker and join a Carlton great.

“Obviously Robert Walls is a legend of the Club so to have my name on the locker forever is a little bit surreal,” he said.

“It still doesn’t quite seem real, even though it’s only two games away, so hopefully I can keep my body right and my form good so I get those two games in the navy jumper.”