{"id":390471,"date":"2026-04-21T13:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/390471\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:18:10","slug":"worksafe-looking-into-elijah-hollands-mcg-episode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/390471\/","title":{"rendered":"Worksafe looking into Elijah Hollands’ MCG episode"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carlton’s management of Elijah Hollands’ public mental health episode will come under scrutiny from Worksafe Victoria.<\/p>\n

Hollands, 23, was admitted to hospital following the Blues’ game at the MCG against Collingwood last Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Carlton and the AFL have been investigating the circumstances surrounding Hollands’ concerning and erratic performance, credited with one ineffective disposal.<\/p>\n

Worksafe Victoria will begin asking questions of Carlton and the AFL in coming days about how Hollands took to the field in the state he did.<\/p>\n

Carlton player Elijah Hollands has been admitted to hospital four days after what his club described as “a mental health episode” against Collingwood.\u00a0Photo by James Wiltshire\/AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

“WorkSafe is assessing the matter to determine whether any action is required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” a Worksafe Victoria spokesperson said in a statement to AAP on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The watchdog will seek information from the club and the league in the next week before determining if there is any scope for a formal investigation.<\/p>\n

When fronting a hastily organised press conference on Sunday morning, Carlton chief executive Graham Wright said he was yet to hear from Worksafe.<\/p>\n

Also on Tuesday, Hollands’ father posted an emotional message of support for his son, vowing to “lift him up until he is restored in full”.<\/p>\n

Ben Hollands, who played eight games for Richmond in 1999, posted a portrait of his son dressed in his Carlton uniform in a public show of support.<\/p>\n

A heartfelt message from Elijah Hollands’ dad, Ben <\/p>\n

Credit: Instagram\/benhollands.bh#AFL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/i8iIv6RmbX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The ESPN Footy Podcast (@FootyTips) April 21, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

“This is my beautiful boy,” the Instagram post reads.<\/p>\n

“For anyone in the midst of healing … You are loved. You have a unique and defined purpose. You are seen whole.<\/p>\n

“I know who my son is – and I will lift him up until he is restored in full.<\/p>\n

“For those supporting someone who is struggling: encourage them, affirm them, and love them.<\/p>\n

“Go to them, remind them of who they truly are.”<\/p>\n

Carlton released a statement on Monday night confirming Hollands was in hospital and asked for the privacy of the player and his family to be respected.<\/p>\n

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

His latest episode has led to calls from prominent players – including Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Western Bulldogs’ Rory Lobb – for a league-wide mental-health round.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and Sydney’s Dean Cox raised concerns over the level and type of scrutiny modern players are put under.<\/p>\n

“I’ve got no doubt that what our players are exposed to and what they have to deal with and manage from a critique point of view is a lot more challenging than it ever has been,” Beveridge said.<\/p>\n

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Cox said pressure on players has “skyrocketed” since his playing days with West Coast.<\/p>\n

“The demands that are on players and certainly young people now, the social media has had a big say in that and the ability to be able to scrutinise and talk to people at will,” Cox said.<\/p>\n

“I think the players do a really good job dealing with that and it’s about supporting each other.”<\/p>\n

Carlton have faced scrutiny over their handling of Hollands, including for allowing him back onto the field during the final quarter against Collingwood, but Beveridge was sympathetic.<\/p>\n

“It’s just a hugely challenging situation and I feel for them,” Beveridge said.<\/p>\n

“Everyone feels for Elijah and his family, but I feel for everyone who’s involved at the Blues because you talk about trauma and things that are confronting – it’s been confronting.<\/p>\n

“I think everyone at that football club just needs everyone’s support to help them through it.”<\/p>\n

Hollands, who turns 24 on Saturday, was delisted by the Blues at the end of last season, despite having a year to run on his contract.<\/p>\n

He was invited to Carlton training over summer and impressed enough to win back a spot on the list.<\/p>\n

Hollands has played all six games this season, averaging 18.4 possessions before his concerning outing against Collingwood.<\/p>\n

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