Consistency is the name of the game for Zach Tuohy next season.
Carlton’s Irish defender - an ever-present in the Navy Blues backline in the past two seasons - has notched up a total of 76 senior games since his AFL debut in Round 11, 2011, but insists the best is yet to come.
Now into his sixth pre-season since moving from Gaelic football, the 25-year-old is on a mission to consistently meet his own expectations as well of those of Carlton supporters.
“It’s been a bit of a shock to the system to get back into pre-season training because I went home for most of the past two months and also had a week back in Melbourne for Levi Casboult’s wedding,” Tuohy told the Irish Mirror.
“There’s a very positive feeling around the club because we believe something clicked last season that enabled us to produce some of our best football despite not making finals.
“It was of course very disappointing not to play finals but as a playing group we felt that in the second half of the season we started to execute the game plan a lot better.
“We’ve got the right game plan to get the best out of the players but it’s about finding the consistency to perform in every game.
“If every player improves by just one percent next season, then collectively that improvement could be worth as much as six more home-and-away wins which would put is into the 2015 finals.”
Zach Tuohy played all 22 games in 2014. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Tuohy had a season best game in Carlton's thrilling three-point win over the West Coast Eagles in Round 6 when he tallied an impressive 14 disposals, five marks, three tackles, and a goal. But overall, Tuohy’s form, by his own admission, fluctuated as inconsistency dogged Carlton’s performances in the home and away season.
The 13th placed Blues lost their opening four matches for the first time since 1989 but two narrow defeats to Geelong and one to Fremantle suggested the Blues could beat the top four sides if they maintained their intensity for four quarters.
“As a team we know we can beat anyone but we’ve got to stop having little drop-offs and play for four quarters every week,” Tuohy explained.
“The difference between us and the top four sides last season was that they found a way to win the close games that we lost. We lost to Fremantle by one goal, and Geelong twice by less than two goals. We also competed against Sydney but one bad quarter cost us the game.
“We need our middle tier of players to stand up and influence games for longer. The same goes for me personally because I’m not at my peak just yet. I need to improve and I’m at an age where I can help the younger players’ development.”
Tuohy, who became a father to son Flynn 10 months ago, believes he has now come to terms with juggling his responsibilities as a footballer with fatherhood. He admits that wasn’t always the case last season when he understandably took time to adjust.
“Everything is going as well as I would hope,” Tuohy said.
“I’m settled off the field and could not be happier as a Carlton player and father so there’s a lot to look forward to next year.”
Tuohy’s message to Carlton supporters is to stick with the team next season because the players are desperate to reward their loyalty.
“Carlton fans are phenomenal,” Tuohy said.
“I like the pressure that comes with being a Carlton player and would be disappointed if that wasn’t the case. Despite what we’ve dished up at times in the past two years the supporters have given us everything so we want to thank them by playing finals in 2015.”
Ahmer Khokhar is a Melbourne-based sports journalist.
