Carlton star Zach Tuohy has a message for the club’s loyal supporters: ‘My best is yet to come’.
Portlaoise born Tuohy – an ever-present in the Navy Blues backline in the past two seasons – has played a total of 76 senior games since his AFL debut in 2011, but by his own admission struggled for consistency last season.
“I had a poor year in 2014 but I’m aiming to step up as a defensive leader this season,” Tuohy told the Irish Mirror.
“Last year was difficult at times with the birth of my first son, Flynn, and some off-field changes in my life. This year, I’m more settled, confident, and determined to improve on my career best form in 2013.”
Tuohy, 25, the senior statesmen amongst Carlton’s Irish trio that includes Cork’s Ciaran Sheehan, 24, and rookie listed Louth player Ciaran ‘Casey’ Byrne, 20, believes the Blues playing list could not be better prepared for an assault on finals football this season. Carlton last played finals in 2013 – Mick Malthouse’s first season as coach – but missed out after only seven wins and a 13th placed finish last year.
“I know it’s a cliché but the only way for us to make finals is to take things one match at a time,” Tuohy explained.
“The supporters deserve to see us playing finals and as players the reason we play the game is to play finals and win premierships for them but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. When clubs do that they are in trouble.
“We believe we are heading in the right direction. Carlton is a huge club with amazing supporters who rightly demand success but we can’t get carried away with making predictions and looking too far ahead.”
Carlton will take on Richmond in a season opening blockbuster at the MCG on Thursday 2 April, but Tuohy insists that whilst a win would be the perfect way to start 2015, a narrow defeat would not be the end of the world.
“It would be a huge result to win in front of what could be a 90,000 crowd and live television cameras but whether we play in front of 90,000 or 10,000 people, it’s all about the four points,” Tuohy said.
“Even if we lose to Richmond, as long as we are competitive, and improve for round two then it will still be a positive outcome for us. We don’t fear any side because when we play our best we can beat anyone.”
Carlton ended its pre-season campaign with a gutsy 0.17.9 (111) to 2.10.14 (92) NAB Challenge loss to Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night. Chris Yarran, Kade Simpson, and Matthew Kreuzer were amongst several key absentees. Tuohy expected nothing other than a tough contest against Geelong’s tall forwards Tom Hawkins and Mitch Clark, and so it proved, but his confidence in Carlton’s playing depth remains undiminished.
“Every team is going to find it tough without some of their best players but we’ve improved the depth of our list in the off-season so we won’t be using that as an excuse,” Tuohy said.
“The important thing for us is that all of our injured players should be available for round one against Richmond.”
And Tuohy added:
“There is a very positive feel around Carlton and as a playing group we know the sky is the limit for us this season.”
