Carlton and the AFL have thrown their support behind Elijah Hollands after the 23-year-old suffered a mental health episode during Thursday night's narrow loss to Collingwood at the MCG. Hollands, who played 75% of the match across the first three quarters, initially registered no statistics, though he was later awarded an ineffective kick in the third term by Champion Data. He was benched for most of the final quarter as Collingwood overturned an 18-point deficit to win 13.10 (88) to 12.11 (83).
Carlton coach Michael Voss described Hollands as “pretty shattered” after the game. “I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he started,” Voss said. “He was really upset and feels like he’s let me down. He was pretty emotional after the game. He didn’t play a great game and he struggled to get his way into it.” Voss added that he was in “constant conversations” with Hollands during the match.
The AFL has been in contact with Carlton on Friday to discuss how best to support Hollands. The Blues released a statement late Friday confirming that Hollands experienced a mental health episode during the game and is receiving appropriate medical and wellbeing support. “He is continuing to receive the appropriate level of medical and wellbeing support, with Hollands’ welfare remaining the number one priority,” the statement read. The club also noted it remains in contact with the AFL and the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) given the complicated nature of the incident.
The AFLPA expressed concern over how the situation evolved and has been in contact with the AFL and Hollands’ manager to better understand what happened. Several videos circulated online after the match appeared to show Hollands confused and exhibiting erratic behaviour. Voss acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, “He feels really disappointed with his performance. With the importance of the night, he feels like he’s let people down. But we just have to keep supporting people through those situations.”
Hollands has a history of mental health struggles, having taken personal leave from Carlton twice last year and later revealing battles with mental ill-health and alcohol issues. He was delisted by the Blues at the end of last season despite having a year left on his contract, but earned his spot back after impressing during summer training. He had played all six games this season, averaging 18.4 possessions before the concerning output against the Magpies. Carlton now sits at 1-5, having lost for a fourth time this year after holding a sizeable lead in the second half.
