GEELONG'S latest Irish import Mark O'Connor hopes the Cats' other Irish recruit can help him adjust to life in the AFL.
Having arrived in Geelong this week, the 19-year-old has touched base with former Carlton defender Zach Touhy, who joined Geelong during this year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
"Apparently he's a big deal over here," O'Connor told geelongcats.com.au.
"[It's] lovely to have another Irishman here. It's just brilliant, because they have been through it all as well and can help me through that hopefully."
O'Connor was added to Geelong's list as an international rookie after being spotted at a combine held in Dublin and then travelling to Australia to train in front of recruiters and attend the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
From County Kerry, O'Connor was a star junior in Gaelic football growing up in Dingle on the west coast and has impressed with his approach since starting at Geelong this week.
"[It's] such an opportunity that you can't let it go because it only comes around once, so here I am," O'Connor said.
He said he was keen to embrace the professional aspect of the AFL.
"The environment over here, where it is just constant improvement … really appealed to me," O'Connor said.
A good runner, he said he liked to play behind the ball but he would just throw himself into the fray and see what happened.
