The father of Elijah Hollands has posted a powerful message saying he “hit a wall” after his son’s admission to hospital.
Former AFL player Ben Hollands, the father of Carlton pair Elijah and Ollie, said he has been seeking support from a wider community after realising “as a man and as a dad I’ve carried too much more that I can count.”
The man of faith went on to say he realised he had to let go to move forward as he has been seeking clarity down in Portsea in the wake of his son’s mental health battles.
He has been seeking solace by taking walks on the beach, leaning into his religious faith and journal writing.
Carlton coach Michael Voss on Thursday gave a press conference launching a passionate defence at how the club had handled the situation claiming staff had been bullied by the media.
Hollands said it was on Thursday that he “hit the wall.”
“Last Thursday I hit a wall,” Ben Hollands posted on Monday to social media.
“Deep down, I knew it was coming.
A lot of people had warned me, but it was my boys, strong wise beyond their years, who said it most clearly.
“What I was striving for didn’t need to be the priority.
“I thought I was leading.
“Being strong. Setting the example.
“But in that moment my leadership had to look different.
“It was simpler.
“It was healing.
“It was peace.
“It was rest.
“Not just for me, for all of us.
“As a man and as a dad, I’ve carried too much more than I can count.
“But I’m learning, truly learning, the importance of letting go.
“Of sharing the load.
“Of stepping back.
“Of remaining strong in my faith in the pause.
“I took that rest, and I feel it.
“Clearer. Lighter. Rejuvenated.
“And in that space I’ve been able to see the last week for what it really was — an incredible outpouring of love, support and strength around us.
“As I continue to lead my family, I now understand something deeper.
“Leadership isn’t just knowing when to step forward, it’s knowing when to let go.
“To trust.
“To hand things over.
“To seek rest when it’s needed.
“This journey, back to alignment, to restoration, isn’t something to carry alone.
It’s something to share.”
Elijah Hollands was admitted to hospital last week, four days after his erratic performance that was described as “mental health episode” in Thursday night’s loss to Collingwood.
The 23-year-old has a history of mental health battles and off-field challenges, which threatened to derail his career last year before he fought to win his way back onto Carlton’s list ahead of the 2026 season.
Ollie Hollands travelled to Perth with his teammates over the weekend, but was a late withdrawal from Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle.
After the game Voss said it had been a testing time for the youngster and decided as a team it was best he didn’t play.
Ben Hollands, who played eight games for Richmond in 1999, delivered another emotional social media post after his son was admitted to hospital.
“This is my beautiful boy,” he posted with an image of a smiling Elijah wearing a Carlton jumper.
“For anyone in the midst of healing … you are loved.
“You have a unique and defined purpose.
“You are seen whole.”