{"id":616354,"date":"2026-04-19T03:56:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616354\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T03:56:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:56:10","slug":"carlton-aware-elijah-hollands-was-struggling-in-the-game-as-afl-demands-answers-after-mental-health-episode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616354\/","title":{"rendered":"Carlton aware Elijah Hollands was ‘struggling in the game’ as AFL demands answers after mental health episode"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carlton has swiftly ruled Elijah Hollands out of the Blues’ next game after his “unprecedented” mental health episode against Collingwood.<\/p>\n

The Blues continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hollands’s concerning performance at the MCG on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Hollands has been getting support from father Ben and will not travel to Perth for Saturday night’s match against Fremantle.<\/p>\n

In the club’s first statement since coach Michael Voss spoke post-game, Carlton chief executive Graham Wright was unable to confirm when Blues staff realised Hollands was unwell.<\/p>\n

Wright did say Carlton officials were aware Hollands was “struggling in the game”.<\/p>\n

“Our guys were dealing with him in the game and obviously knew that he was having some problems,” Wright said.<\/p>\n

Last year, Hollands twice took personal leave from Carlton, later revealing he had been battling mental ill-health and issues with alcohol.<\/p>\n

Wright “at this stage” ruled out alcohol or illicit substances being a factor in affecting Hollands.<\/p>\n

\"Graham<\/p>\n

Graham Wright said Carlton was set for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to Elijah Hollands’ on-field episode. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)<\/p>\n

“We’re dealing with a mental health issue, with what we’re dealing with right at the moment,” Wright said at Princes Park on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“We’re in the process of going through all the circumstances leading up to the game, two or three weeks prior to the game.<\/p>\n

“Our primary focus remains on caring for Elijah, making sure he continues to receive the medical and wellbeing support he needs.<\/p>\n

“Elijah’s mental challenges have been well documented.<\/p>\n

“Our staff have been working alongside Elijah on this journey with him over a long period of time now, both on and off the field, providing every resource possible to ensure his welfare is paramount.<\/p>\n

“Thursday night presented unprecedented and complex circumstances. We’re taking this very seriously.”<\/p>\n

Hollands suffers ‘mental health episode’ <\/a><\/p>\n

Carlton provides an update on Elijah Hollands’s wellbeing after the 23-year-old’s performance against Collingwood attracts widespread concern.<\/p>\n

The AFL has asked Carlton for a review of the circumstances around what happened with Hollands.<\/p>\n

“The health and wellbeing of every player is the AFL’s highest priority,” the league said in a statement late on Saturday.<\/p>\n

“The AFL has today requested Carlton to, once concluded, provide the outcome of its review of the circumstances relating to Elijah Hollands’ fitness to play in Thursday night’s match.”<\/p>\n

Wright was unable to explain why Hollands returned to the field in the last quarter, and when someone from Carlton’s football department realised the 23-year-old was struggling.<\/p>\n

Hollands was credited with just one possession despite playing 75 per cent of the first three quarters.<\/p>\n

“We’ll work through that in the next few days,” Wright said.<\/p>\n

The former Gold Coast player was delisted by the Blues at the end of last season, despite having a year to run on his contract.<\/p>\n

But Hollands was invited to Carlton training over the summer, impressing enough to win his spot back on the list.<\/p>\n

He has played all six games this season, averaging 18.4 possessions before his concerning night against the Magpies.<\/p>\n

Voss described Hollands as being “pretty shattered”.<\/p>\n

“I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he started,” Voss said on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

“He was really upset and feels like he’s let me down.<\/p>\n

“He was pretty emotional after the game.”<\/p>\n

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