Elijah Hollands has taken to social media to share a heartfelt message after he and Carlton officially parted ways on Wednesday evening.
The 24-year-old has not been sighted at AFL level since the Blues’ Round 6 Thursday night clash with Collingwood, which saw the midfielder-forward suffer a mental health episode.
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Taking to Instagram after the club confirmed his departure this off-season, Hollands broke his silence for the first time since his absence from the top level.
“I have spent a long time trying to find the best way to deliver the emotions I’ve felt over this decision, but I don’t think it will ever be perfect, so here’s my best effort,” Hollands wrote.
“Football means an extreme amount to me. My dad played professional footy, my great-grandfather played professional footy, my brother plays professional footy — it is everything I have lived and breathed for as long as I can remember. I have only ever wanted to do one thing my entire life: copy what was done before me and play AFL footy. It was something that I just knew I was going to do when I was a kid, and it was all I ever cared about — and now, unfortunately, that purpose I had is no longer.
“I love this game, but I have come to realise that there are things in my life that are far more important than footy right now, and they’re the things I will now prioritise. As an extremely confident 18-year-old, I certainly envisioned my career going a whole lot differently, but I am okay with accepting that it just isn’t in the plans set for me. I will cherish being able to share the stage with Ollie, and I am so grateful to say that I have done what so many dream of: playing in front of 90,000 people at the MCG with my own brother. That is something very special to me.
“I’ll be moving into the next chapter of my life, leaving what will feel like a big hole to fill, but I am excited about what can come from having my health and mind in much greater shape.
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“Lastly, I want to thank all the people who have supported me throughout my time in footy. With my challenges being so public, one thing I have noticed is that I have been backed by the greater AFL community, which I will be forever grateful for. I hope that kind of support can be shown more to both athletes and the people around each and every one of us.
“I can’t wait to be able to support the great friends I’ve made in footy, and Ollie, from the other side of the fence.”
Hollands was re-selected by Carlton during the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) after being delisted by the club in 2025.
After initially being drafted to Gold Coast with pick No.7 in the 2020 Draft, the Wodonga product played 14 games at the Suns before reuniting with his older brother Ollie at Ikon Park at the end of the 2023 season.