Concern Mounts for Carlton's Elijah Hollands After Troubling On-Field Episode
Concern is escalating for Carlton midfielder Elijah Hollands following disturbing footage from Thursday night's clash with Collingwood, leaving teammates, club officials, and fans anxiously monitoring his condition. The 23-year-old endured a challenging outing at the MCG, managing just one disposal in the Blues' 88–83 defeat, despite logging significant minutes across the first three quarters.
Hollands initially concluded the match without registering any statistics before being retrospectively credited with a single possession—an ineffective kick recorded in the third term. He spent much of the final quarter on the bench as Collingwood overturned an 18-point deficit at the final break to secure victory.
Unusual Behaviour Sparks Alarm
However, it was not merely his limited impact on the game that drew attention. Fan-filmed footage circulating online appeared to show Hollands behaving unusually in Carlton's forward 50, with multiple observers noting he looked out of character during passages of play. Supporters described him as "displaying some erratic movements" and "not looking like himself" in the second half.
One fan expressed disbelief online, questioning how his condition went unnoticed pre-game, while another emphasised the need for immediate support, stating, "They better look after him now because he needs serious help." A third lamented, "This is so unfortunate considering he had a really good couple of games."
Post-Match Revelations and Club Response
Further details emerged post-match indicating the midfielder had been closely monitored, with reports confirming his heart rate was checked during the game and that he had experienced difficulty sleeping the night before. It was also disclosed that he was "in a pretty bad way post-match," prompting ongoing attention from club staff.
Carlton coach Michael Voss addressed Hollands' performance after the game, confirming the player was deeply affected. "He's pretty shattered with his game," Voss said. "I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he started the game, really upset, sort of feels like he's let me down. He was pretty emotional after the game."
Voss explained that Hollands struggled to work his way into the contest and remained in regular communication with coaches during the match. Regarding the decision to bench him late, Voss noted, "When it comes to the last quarter, you've obviously got to work out what mix you've got with five minutes to go and what you want on the field. He wasn't having a great night, so we were in constant conversations with him. We obviously thought the best mix was to not have him out there."
Historical Context and Ongoing Support
Additional reports suggested Hollands had spoken to opposition players during the match about not feeling at full capacity, though this has not been formally confirmed by the club. There were also claims that some circulating footage was considered sensitive, with broadcasters opting not to show certain vision.
Carlton's official position following the match was that Hollands had experienced an "off night," while also emphasising ongoing support for the player. This situation follows a challenging period in Hollands' career; the former Gold Coast midfielder took personal leave on multiple occasions during the 2025 season and later revealed he had been dealing with mental health issues and alcohol-related struggles.
He was subsequently delisted by Carlton despite having time remaining on his contract, before being invited back to train during the pre-season. Hollands earned his way back onto the list through the supplemental selection period and had played every game this season prior to Thursday night, averaging more than 18 disposals per match.
Carlton, now 1–5 to start the season, will next face Fremantle on Anzac Day in Perth, with Hollands' condition likely to remain a focal point for the club and its supporters.
