Zach Tuohy says Oisin Mullin has already been given "a few nicknames" during his brief time with AFL club Geelong. "We've settled on Yosh because Yoshy was about as close as any of the lads could get," Tuohy told AFL 360 Plus about his teammate from Mayo.
"It was Frank at one stage, I can't remember why it was Frank.
"Ocean, yeah, he's had a few."
Just six months after it was confirmed he would be leaving Mayo to join Geelong, Mullin is set to make his AFL debut this weekend. He has been named at half-back in the side to play GWS Giants on Saturday.
26 June 2022; Oisín Mullin of Mayo in action against David Clifford of Kerry during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Kerry and Mayo at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Fellow Irishmen Mark O'Connor and Tuohy will also line out for Geelong while Callum Brown from Derry has been named to start for the Giants. Mullins's debut comes after just three VFL games in which he averaged 12.3 disposals.
"He’s a well-established, top, top player back in Ireland," Tuohy said about Mullin, who was twice Young Footballer of the Year.
"This is not just a young prospect that was brought out. This is a guy who was well regarded as one of the best footballers in Ireland when he left.
"Professionalism – all those kinds of key things – he had in abundance and his physical attributes are remarkable, despite his diminutive nature, as you’ve kindly put it. He’s good to go physically.
"He’s a player."
Tuohy, who along with O'Connor won an AFL premiership last season, is just five games away from matching Jim Stynes's AFL record for the most appearances by an Irish player.
25 July 2021; Paddy Durcan, left, and Oisín Mullin of Mayo celebrate after the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Final match between Galway and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
"I do remember early in my career the goal was to play one game," said Tuohy.
"I started my career with Setanta Ó hAilpín and I can remember him talking about trying to get to 100 games – for an Irish player he thought that would be remarkable.
"It’s coming on very quick. To go past Jim would be an honour, but it’s a strange one because in virtually no regard do I put myself in that sort of company."
Tuohy was also asked about his home town of Portlaoise. It was put to him that "there's nothing there".
"Oh, mate, it's just a wonderful, wonderful part of the world," he responded.
"We have a maximum security prison, which is lovely. There's a lot of watering holes. I adore the place.
"It's got a big footballing culture. It's the fastest growing town in Ireland, and it's also got the best cafe in Ireland - The Wandering Elk - if you're ever passing through. I do have a vested interest in that one. It's a wonderful part of the world, Portlaoise."
See Also: Mayo's Oisin Mullin Calls Home From Australia To Break Massive AFL Debut News
