Carlton Irish recruit Zach Tuohy, seen here outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, has ambitious plans for the impending 2012 AFL season, now just weeks away. (Pic: Paul McGinty)

Zach Tuohy will be sporting a new look during the upcoming season with the Laois man having spent hours in the tattoo artist’s chair to complete the first part of what will be a full sleeve of body ink.

“I’m here for a good time, not a long time,” Tuohy said of his decision to don the look that has become increasingly popular with AFL stars.

The 22-year-old has been on Twitter posting images of the art work that includes his mum and dad. And while he says his parents aren’t on Twitter, he has told them of his ink plans.

“My dad just said if you’re sure it’s what you want then go for it. My mum got on board pretty quickly but she doesn’t really want to talk about it.

“She just says ‘I know you’re having it done but I don’t want to talk to you about it’. You’d think seeing as she’s getting a mention in it she’d be ok to talk to me about it,” he laughs.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about having done for a long time, and something I’ve been interested in. So I just said I’d go for it. It will be all family and personal stuff which is important to me.”

As for his plans for the season ahead, the Laois man, who played 11 senior games last year, is hoping for further improvement but is reluctant to see his goals in writing.

“I have internal goals in my head. Realistically, having played last year, I could expect to play every game but it’s not that easy at a club which is really going to challenge (for honours) this year.

“You can’t set long-term goals because if you do and then you get an injury or some sort of niggle then it all goes out the window.

“My main aim is to keep my body right and you just have to take the games as they come but I’m definitely looking to improve on my tally last year.”

Tuohy’s Christmas break at home in Ireland didn’t help his pre-season, with the Blues player picking up a bug which saw him lose three kilos during his time off.

“At first I just thought I was getting a cold, I wasn’t feeling great and I had headaches. But then I just couldn’t eat a thing and I dropped a lot of weight. It just wouldn’t go away.

“I didn’t realise how much (weight I’d lost) until I got back to the club.

“Dropping weight is as bad as putting it on because it’s all muscle that you’re losing, but thankfully I’m getting back to normal now and gaining weight.” Tuohy is adapting to life at the Blues without Setanta Ó hAilpín who will now represent the AFL’s newest franchise, Greater Western Sydney.

But he says he won’t be asking for a jersey number change to the Corkman’s Irish-inspired No 17.

Instead he’ll be opting to stay with his number 42 jumper that was previously worn by three-time Premiership player Robert Walls who is a Hall of Fame legend at the club.

“I always thought that if Setanta ever left the club that I’d want to wear his number. But now that I’ve played (senior football) in mine I want to keep it,” Tuohy says.

“Also, the only name on my locker is Robert Walls and when I retire, I want my name to be there under his.” Tuohy’s sentiments clearly show his intent to be a one-club player.

“I can’t imagine ever playing anywhere else or there being any circumstances that I’d want to leave in. I want to retire here.

“I feel really comfortable here. It doesn’t feel like I’m the only Irish player, it’s gone past that.

“I really feel like I’m a part of the team now.”