Carlton and the AFL have rallied 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 recorded no statistics before being credited with an ineffective kick in the third term. 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 said Hollands was “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 had been in constant conversation with Hollands during the match.
The AFL has been in contact with Carlton to determine the best way to support Hollands, and the club released a statement on Friday confirming it would “provide close and ongoing care”. The statement said: “He is continuing to receive the appropriate level of medical and wellbeing support, with Hollands’ welfare remaining the number one priority. The club also remains in contact with the AFL and the AFLPA, given the complicated nature of what occurred on Thursday night.” The AFL Players Association expressed concern and has been in touch with the league and Hollands’ manager.
Hollands, who was delisted by Carlton at the end of last season but re-earned a spot on the list, has a history of mental health struggles. He took personal leave twice last year, later revealing battles with mental ill-health and alcohol. This season, he had played all six games before Thursday, averaging 18.4 possessions. Carlton now sits at 1-5 after losing four times this year despite holding sizeable half-time leads.
