The Carlton Football Club has been issued a $75,000 fine by the AFL following an investigation into the handling of midfielder Elijah Hollands during their Round 6 clash against Collingwood. Concerns were raised after Hollands displayed erratic behaviour on the field, managing only one disposal despite playing 60 per cent of the game. It was later revealed that he had suffered a mental health episode during the match, leading to his hospitalisation in the days that followed. He has not played since the incident.
WorkSafe Investigation
WorkSafe, the employment watchdog, was alerted to the situation and conducted preliminary inquiries into how Hollands was permitted to play in his condition. The AFL's investigation, which lasted several weeks, concluded on Tuesday, resulting in the largest fine imposed on a club since Port Adelaide was penalised $100,000 in 2023 for breaching concussion protocols.
AFL CEO Statement
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon announced the fine during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, confirming that the penalty would be directed to the league's mental health partner, Headspace. Dillon stated, "We found that there were sufficient visual cues, performance data during the match and an understanding of Elijah's circumstances to indicate that he should have been removed from play earlier than he was. We also determined that the delay to remove Elijah from the field resulted in an outcome that brought the game into disrepute." He emphasised that the findings were made against the Carlton Football Club collectively, not any individual.
Dillon added, "What transpired during the game is something that we haven't seen before. While Elijah did undergo checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time. The incident has highlighted something important for our game. While our physical injury protocols are strong and well understood, mental health presentations can be variable and are complex."
Club Response and Aftermath
Carlton has accepted the penalty, but the AFL did not confirm whether the club admitted fault. In the week following the incident, Carlton coach Michael Voss passionately defended his team, claiming they had been "bullied" over the matter. Additionally, Channel 7's Tom Morris reported that Carlton club doctor Matt Chamberlain took personal leave after the game.
Hollands, 24, had previously taken personal leave from Carlton twice last year and had publicly discussed his battles with mental health and alcohol issues. Despite being delisted at the end of last season with a year remaining on his contract, he was invited back to train over the summer and earned a spot back on the list. He had played all six games prior to the Collingwood match, averaging 18.4 possessions per game.
New Initiatives
The AFL announced it would work with clubs to improve industry-wide standards through a range of new initiatives. Dillon and AFL EGM of Health and Football Operations Laura Kane confirmed they spoke with Hollands during the investigation but declined to provide specifics about his current health.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression, contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional, or someone you trust.
