There are few clubs with a richer history of diversity and commitment to multiculturalism than Carlton.
The suburb itself, in Melbourne’s inner north, has long been one of the city’s great melting pots and was home to the first great wave of Jewish and Italian immigration in the first part of last century.
Jews and Italians have historically made up a large percentage of the Blues’ supporter base and the Italian community has provided several players, headlined by star ruck-rover Sergio Silvagni and his son Stephen, the full-back in the AFL's Team of the Century.
Alex Jesaulenko was born in Salzburg, Austria, to a Ukranian father and a Russian mother. Robbert Klomp (the Netherlands), Val Perovic (Yugoslavia) and Mil Hanna (Lebanon) are among well-known Carlton players born overseas.
More recently, Princes Park has been the home base for the AFL's Irish diaspora. It started with Setanta o'hAilpin and has come to include current Blues Zach Tuohy, Ciaran Sheehan and Ciaran Byrne.
Tuohy, recruited from County Laios, has played 93 games since making his debut in 2011. The Blues have had their troubles on the field in recent times, but the 25-year-old considers himself very fortunate to have landed with the club.
Zach Tuohy has played 93 games for the Blues. (Photo: AFL Photos)
"From my point of view, coming over as an 18-year-old kid knowing they had Irish players before me was a real bonus," Tuohy told the AFL Record.
"Carlton has always been a club that has embraced diversity and it really helped in my transition that they knew how to treat players from other places. I was very lucky in that regard."
Tuohy has blazed a similar trail to many of the Irish players who have traversed the world to play in the AFL. In his case it was a burning desire to be a professional sportsman. He just had to find the sport.
"It was a massive deal for me to leave home and to come here," he said. "I'd never left Ireland before."
In Melbourne, he has been warmly embraced, not just by the Carlton and AFL fraternity, but also by the Irish community.
"You can't go far without bumping into someone from home. It helps you settle into your new surroundings," he said.
As one of the Blues’ defensive mainstays, Tuohy appears set to be with the club for some time as it sets about climbing back up the ladder.
After that, who knows? He is settled in Heidelberg, in Melbourne's northern suburbs with partner Rebecca and son Flynn, and where he stays in the long-term might ultimately depend on where he wants to raise Flynn.
But for now he feels very much at home.
"Melbourne is so multicultural and when you come here you are immediately made to feel part of the city. It is something Melbourne does better than most places," he said.
"Football is an extension of that. We have people from different backgrounds and it is great this weekend to celebrate having them as part of the game."
This story will also be published in the round 19 edition of the AFL Record.
