The ongoing Elijah Hollands saga has taken another turn as Carlton club doctor Matt Chamberlain has taken personal leave while the investigation continues. Reports indicate that the well-respected medical professional is also considering his legal options.
Chamberlain's leave comes as the AFL confirmed it would take its time with the 'delicate' situation. Carlton has fully cooperated with the league, submitting its own report into Hollands' health episode two weeks ago.
Hollands was admitted to hospital days after confronting an on-field incident, but criticism of Carlton's handling of the situation has persisted, largely directed at the medical staff, with Chamberlain bearing the brunt. Head coach Michael Voss has defended his club, but Chamberlain's leave underscores the pressure.
AFL Investigation Continues
Channel 7's Tom Morris reported: '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. I've spoken to the Blues. They couldn't confirm that he'd be even back this weekend for Carlton's game. They hope he's back as soon as possible, but they couldn't confirm that as well.'
'Now, in addition to that, I also understand that Chamberlain is considering his legal options should the AFL investigation come back in a way that dissatisfies him or potentially paints him in a light that he thinks is unfair.'
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.'
Voss Defends Club Amid Criticism
The reaction from media and former players prompted Voss to defend his club, claiming they had been 'bullied' by the media. 'I think our people have been bullied and we bully for outcomes,' he said. 'All I need to say is we need to take into consideration the people who are involved in this. This impacts families. It affects a lot of people. I'm proud of my people and the process will take care of itself. We need to put our support behind that.'
AFL general manager of football performance Greg Swann confirmed there would be no rush for an outcome after Carlton submitted their report. 'There's no rush on this. This is a really delicate matter ... I haven't seen anything play out like this, like it has publicly in this instance,' Swann said on Monday. 'So it will take as long as it does.'
Hollands' Mental Health Struggles
Ahead of Carlton submitting its report, it emerged Hollands had informed the club he was struggling with his mental health in the lead-up to the match but expressed a desire to continue playing. He had also voluntarily undergone drug testing and medical screenings, telling the club his behaviour was not linked to alcohol or illicit substances.
Former Carlton star Sam Docherty said he was struggling to understand how the situation unfolded. 'I just feel like he's been really let down by Carlton and the AFL more broadly,' Docherty said on 3AW. 'As a kid that has had his struggles, he's been very open. He took time off football, not too far off this time last year.'
'I just look at some of the systems and stuff that should have been in the background around how to care for him and make sure this type of event didn't come up. We're treating it as the mental health episode at the moment. And just from that perspective, I just can't fathom how he was out there for so long.'
'If you wrap it up in any form, of whether it's Carlton or if it's the AFL with the ARC, I don't understand how someone hasn't stepped in. The moment when he said that, that we knew something wasn't right, that's the bit for me. I was like, OK, so we're actually outside the argument of did we know or didn't we know, did we not know? You knew something wasn't right. Then you start asking questions. Why didn't anyone actually do anything about it?'
'I think he's a terrific kid and I know he's going through his battles, but it's hard to watch as an ex-teammate, let alone a media person.'
