AFL
3 weeks ago
Hollands victim of mental health episode, not substance related
By Sam Edmund
Elijah Hollands was the victim of a mental health episode and was not under the influence of drugs during his erratic performance against Collingwood on Thursday night.
Carlton has undertaken a thorough review of Hollands’ circumstances after a one-disposal game in which concerning fan and broadcast vision of him has since gone viral.
The Blues are absolutely certain Hollands’ issues are not substance-related, but instead prompted by complex mental health challenges that the player has previously discussed.
The club has taken a detailed look into Hollands’ movements in the build-up to the game and needed to be convinced the player’s actions at the MCG were not brought on by behavioural issues.
But after investigating the circumstances and working in consultation with the AFL and medical experts, they are completely satisfied Hollands’ situation was a medical issue.
Hollands, who stepped away from the game last year, continues to work through challenges that the club is familiar with and determined to support him on.
The Blues are hyper-sensitive to Hollands’ wellbeing and have put resources in place to care for him over the coming days.
The forward was highly emotional on the ground after the game and again in the Blues rooms. “He sort of feels like he’s let people down, but we’ve got to keep supporting people through those situations,” coach Michael Voss said in his post-match press conference.
Some critics have taken aim at Carlton for allowing Hollands to take the field and playing 60 per cent game time despite looking so horribly out of place.
It’s understood there was no alarm bells raised in the warm-up and no flashpoint moment.
It was noted early in the game, however, that Hollands may be a concern and the longer the game went, the more clear it became to Blues staff that he wasn’t fit to continue.
Hollands played just nine minutes in the last quarter of a tight loss.
He last year opened up on his mental health challenges, pointing to a Round 10 game against Sydney in which he described symptoms aligned to having a “mini panic attack”.
Subsequently, Carlton has released a statement saying that Hollands is receving medical and wellbeing support.
They have also asked for the public to give the 23-year-old privacy during this time.
"The Carlton Football Club is continuing to provide close and ongoing care to Elijah Hollands, who suffered a mental health episode on Thursday night," it said.
"The 23-year-old 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.
"While the Club acknowledges the public interest, it asks that Hollands’ privacy be respected, with the primary focus on ensuring he receives the level of care he needs, before a further update can be provided at an appropriate time."
If you or anyone you know is struggling or needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. Or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
