Collingwood players reportedly informed the AFL that Elijah Hollands told them he was under the influence of alchohol during Carlton’s clash with the Magpies on Thursday.
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Hollands finished Thursday night’s game at the MCG with just one disposal from 60 per cent game time, and crowd footage of him behaving in an unusual way on the field circulated on social media.
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The Blues addressed the incident via a statement on Friday evening in which it was labelled a mental health episode.
“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 said in the statement.
“The club also remains in contact with the AFL and the AFLPA, given the complicated nature of what occurred on Thursday night.”
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson, however, said Pies players have informed the AFL, during the league’s investigation, that Hollands had told them he had been drinking.
“There is the suggestion coming from Collingwood players, and Carlton have not denied (it) but certainly not confirmed (it), that Elijah Hollands was telling some Collingwood players that he had been drinking,” Wilson said on 3AW on Saturday.
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“(Reporter) Sam Edmund said yesterday drugs were not involved. I am not sure where he got that information but I certainly can’t confirm that. I don’t know if he was drug tested.
“Obviously, (he has) high anxiety and had a mental health episode.”
Wilson said she could not prove alcohol was involved but that there was strong insistence from some Collingwood players that there was.
It comes as the AFL officially requested the outcome of Carlton’s review into its handling of Hollands’ erratic behaviour.
The league in a statement on Saturday suggested it would continue to follow up with Carlton.
“The health and wellbeing of every player is the AFL’s highest priority,” the AFL said in a statement on Saturday.
“The AFL has today requested Carlton to, once concluded, provide the outcome of its review of the circumstances relating to Elijah Holland’s fitness to play in Thursday night’s match.
“The AFL will continue to make inquiries with the club in relation to the matter.”