Troubled midfielder Elijah Hollands is working hard to earn a spot back on Carlton’s list, after being axed by the club in October with a year to run on his contract.
The 23-year-old battled mental health and alcohol issues in 2025 and has faced indiscretions in the past, including a suspension for cocaine possession in 2023.
Carlton made the call to cut the talented youngster, but have given him the opportunity to train with the club over summer and potentially earn his spot back via the supplemental selection period.
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Hollands was taken with pick seven in the 2020 national draft by Gold Coast, before joining Carlton and his brother Ollie in his third season.
Elijah Hollands of the Blues. Getty
He impressed quickly at the Blues, playing 22 games in 2024 and immediately becoming a key player.
However, he only played five games in 2025 as he battled self-admitted alcohol and mental health issues, as he documented in The Age.
“In some of the darker times, I turned to alcohol to cope with some of the stresses I had been putting myself under, and the mental fatigue and battles I had been going through,” Hollands said.
“It very much has been a thing I have done in isolation, which is obviously a battle. It hasn’t been a thing where I have been out with mates and taking things too far in public areas – it’s been in isolation and at home.”
Hollands spent four weeks in a mental health retreat, admitting it was the “best thing possible” for him.
Carlton assistant coach Ash Hansen said he has been impressed with the early work the midfielder has put in to earn back his list spot.
“He’s been invited back to train and was in the top two of our time trial, so that’s an indication that he’s doing the work,” Hansen told 3AW on Thursday.
“I guess any time a player gets that news it’s up to you how you handle that and he’s been really proactive in the way he has gone about his preparation.
“We know he’s highly skilled. It’s about putting in the work and being a consistent player and the opportunity is there for him over summer to train with us and earn a spot on the list, which he is looking to compete for.”
Michael Voss the coach of the Blues speaks to Jagga Smith at training in November. Getty
Hollands will be one to track closely over summer for the Blues. Another will be Jagga Smith, who was selected with pick three in the 2024 national draft.
Seen as the future of the Carlton midfield, his 2025 was derailed immediately by a torn ACL suffered in a pre-season game.
However, he is back in full training and chomping at the bit to attack 2026.
“Uninterrupted so far in terms of his progression back from the knee. He’s doing everything he is asked of,” Hansen said.
“Being held back naturally. He’s a competitor who has had a year to watch. He’s super motivated and enthusiastic to get out there and compete with his teammates and is doing everything asked of him pre Christmas, which is really encouraging.
“He’s on track to return, which is a positive.”
Carlton will be a very different team on paper next season, following the departures of Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni.
Curnow in particular leaves a gaping hole in the forward line, and they don’t have many key forwards on their list behind Harry McKay.
Hansen said the additions of Will Hayward from Sydney and Ben Ainsworth from Gold Coast, coupled with the loss of Curnow will see them approach their attack differently in 2026.
“We’re going to have a lot of those mid-sized guys in our front half like Hayward, the likes of Zac Williams and Ben Ainsworth who can be aerial threats, can be good on the ground, we’re going to be really mobile,” he said.
“It’s going to be a different mix up forward and hopefully a little bit more unpredictable and the spread of goals should be there to let us kick some good scores.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss enters the final year of his contract in 2026, though the Blues have effectively turned over their entire football department around him and Hansen.
Graham Wright is the new CEO, Chris Davies the new head of footy and they have new assistant coaches in Josh Fraser and Leigh Adams.