AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has delivered a scathing assessment of Carlton Football Club's management of Elijah Hollands' mental health episode during a match. Hollands, 24, has been sidelined since exhibiting erratic behaviour in an April 16 clash against Collingwood.
Disrepute Finding and Fine
The Blues were found to have brought the game into disrepute due to their treatment of the 24-year-old. Alongside the criticism, Carlton received a substantial $75,000 fine, which will be directed to the AFL's mental health partner, Headspace. The penalty was imposed after the league conducted its own inquiry, having received Carlton's report.
Dillon stated, "We found that there was sufficient visual cues, performance data, during the match, and an understanding of Elijah's individual circumstances, to indicate that he should have been removed from play earlier than he was. The delay resulted in an outcome that brought the game into disrepute. These findings have been made against the Carlton Football Club collectively, not against any individual."
Mandatory Psychologists and New Protocols
In response, the AFL has mandated that every club must employ a full-time psychologist. Dillon emphasised, "What transpired during the game was something we haven't seen before. The incident has highlighted something important for our game. Whilst our physical injury protocols are strong and well understood, mental health presentations can be variable and are complex. That means we need to strengthen and standardise how we respond on match day to acute mental health episodes."
Hollands was admitted to hospital days after the Collingwood match, where he managed only one disposal and appeared out of sorts. He had previously spoken about his mental health struggles.
Club Defences and Fallout
Head coach Michael Voss had strongly defended his club, claiming they were being "bullied." However, the AFL board's ruling came just a week after club doctor Matt Chamberlain took personal leave over the incident. Tom Morris of the Agenda Setters revealed, "I can reveal tonight that their club doctor, a very respected medical professional, Dr Matt Chamberlain, took leave on the weekend, personal leave, as a result of this saga."
Caroline Wilson added, "It's always been put to me that this was very much a medical investigation that was being carried out. It's been led by Laura Kane. Now, she's not only the footy operations boss, but she really runs all the medical side of things where footy is concerned. So I think that the doctors feel they've been targeted, and we heard Michael Voss leap to everyone's defence, really, the other day in a press conference that I felt missed the mark in many areas. But he was passionate in defending his staff, and I think probably he was talking about the doctors as much as anyone else."
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