Zach Tuohy dismisses the notion he overlooks the role his first club Carlton played in his AFL career.
The Portlaoise native announced on Wednesday morning that he will retire from the AFL at the end of the season which comes to a close next month.
The 34-year-old will bow out as a former champ and as Ireland's record appearance holder.
Tuohy enjoyed his career's brightest days with his current club Geelong Cats having won a premiership alongside fellow Irishman Mark O'Connor in 2022.
166 of his 287 appearances came in the navy and white hoops of the Cats having began his career as a draft pick at Carlton.
Tuohy left Carlton joining Cats in 2016 with some Carlton fans booing him whenever the teams clashed.
Blues were again on his case on Wednesday morning but speaking on Australian radio station 1116 SEN, Tuohy cleared up any confusion, stressing his love and affection for his first club.
Zach Tuohy’s absolute blatant refusal to acknowledge Carlton at any point is baffling. Such a weird thing to absolutely refuse to acknowledge the team that gave him start and plucked him from obscurity. It’s so strange.
— Darren Hodge (@CaptainUniverse) August 21, 2024
It was put to Tuohy by former AFL player and broadcaster Kane Cornes that some Carlton fans felt he failed to acknowledge them in the retirement videos posted by Geelong.
"It's funny you ask me that because I was talking about it to a couple of people in the club today," Tuohy responded.
"Obviously there was a short video released on Geelong's socials and that's clearly geared towards the Geelong audience.
"After we recorded it, I spoke about whether or not we'd get the opportunity to speak about Carlton."
"I'm fully aware of the fact that I don't have the career I've had, or even the off-field success - I'm out here now married with kids like - those are all things that were afforded to me initially by Carlton."
Tuohy went onto say that 'right up until almost the very end,' he loved every second of his time with Carlton.
"I did for almost all my time there want to be a one club player," he said.
"I actually feel like I've maintained for the most part, a really good relationship with the supporters there.
"There's always been fairly good natured banter. I'm sure some will disagree with this but the feeling I have is that I still have affectionate feelings towards the support base."
Tuohy pointed to an 'almost insulting' contract offer as the reason he left Carlton in a 2017 Herald Sun interview.
"I was very happy there, but it was made clear to me that I might need to look at my options," he'd said.
But he's let bygones be bygones, maintaining his love of the club he played 120 games for.
"So I'm glad you asked me because I love the club and I consider myself a Carlton supporter still." Before it all ends, Tuohy will hope to add a second premiership medal to his collection with Geelong currently in fourth place in the regular league table.
Zach Tuohy speaks on being picked up by Carlton and how much that has meant to him through out his career.@SENSportsday | #AFL pic.twitter.com/yuT9dcuCCp
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) August 21, 2024
