The results of Carlton’s review of the circumstances surrounding Elijah Holland’s fitness to play are being tipped to land in AFL hands later this week.
It comes amid reports Blues medical staff assessed Hollands “multiple times” during the club’s tight loss to Collingwood last week, in which the player had a mental health episode.
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The Blues on Monday night confirmed Hollands had been admitted to hospital as they continue to investigate the events that occurred in relation to Hollands, while also consulting with the AFL and AFL Players’ Association.
CODE Sports reporter Jon Ralph on Monday night reported on Fox Footy’s On The Couch that Hollands had voluntarily submitted himself to a range of tests — including drug testing — in the wake of last Thursday night. The Age reported on Tuesday night the test “took placed in the period following the game” and that the result had “not yet been divulged”.
News of Hollands’ hospitalisation on Monday came an hour after Fox Footy’s AFL 360 revealed new footage of Hollands during two breaks in play on Thursday night.
Hollands’ quarter break chats revealed | 03:16
Amid continued external commentary around Carlton’s handling of Hollands – both before and during Thursday night’s game – vision showed Hollands in conversation, firstly, with coach Michael Voss at quarter-time then Blues head of development Jordan Russell at halftime as the team walked towards the MCG rooms.
The Age reported on Tuesday night that “club doctors assessed Hollands multiple times during the game”.
Carlton chief executive Graham Wright on Sunday morning conceded the club was aware Hollands was “struggling in the game”.
Carlton isn’t working towards a specific deadline regarding its prove, with the club – and the AFL – determined to ensure the investigation is run meticulous accuracy. The Age reported the review is examining “communication between medical staff, coaches and interchange officials, as well as the protocols followed once Hollands’ condition became apparent”.
However there’s optimism the Blues will be able to hand its findings over to the AFL before Voss fronts the media on Thursday morning – two days before the club’s next clash against Fremantle on Saturday.
“The Blues are working diligently through this – and they’re not working on any particular timeframe. They need to do this job as quickly but as correctly as they possibly can,” CODE Sports reporter Glenn McFarlane told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
Elijah Hollands admitted to hospital | 02:44
“What we’re thinking at the moment – and speaking to them (the Blues) today – is Michael Voss’ press conference is still scheduled for about 10 o’clock on Thursday morning. So at this stage the Blues are looking to try and get everything finalised by then and get it through to the AFL
“Michael Voss will speak at that particular stage, but he won’t be able to answer all the questions … because it’ll be in the hands of the AFL.”
Fellow CODE Sports journalist Lauren Wood reported on Tuesday night the Blues’ investigation “remains ongoing”, adding their club’s focus was “not necessarily about just getting this done, it’s around doing it properly”.
“Ideally, everyone in the industry would like to see it (completed by Carlton) on Thursday, but there is a very close eye being kept on this by AFL House, particularly from Dr Kate Hall – who oversees all of the club doctors and the mental health program – and also Laura Kane – who is the head of health and safety,” Wood told Midweek Tackle.
“These two key women at AFL headquarters are keeping a really close eye on the way Carlton is conducting this probe, ensuring the questions that are being asked are the right ones.
“(AFL) strategy under Greg Swann has been to allow clubs to manage a lot of this stuff themselves, so they’ve been really keen to leave it to Carlton to conduct their investigation, leave no stone unturned – I don’t think there’s any suggestions there’s going to be any protection if there is something to be found – but the AFL are keen to give clubs that licence to do that and come in if required.
Blues under fire after Hollands call | 06:07
“Once they’ve got those findings back to them, they’ll deal with what needs to be dealt with after that.”
It comes as WorkSafe on Tuesday confirmed it would conduct preliminary inquiries into Carlton’s management of Hollands, with those results to determine whether the state’s employment watchdog launches its own full investigation.
It’s understood a full WorkSafe investigation can delve deeper into the management of a single incident. In this instance, that would extend beyond playing Hollands on match day and into how Carlton has handled his mental health issues prior.
But Wood reported WorkSafe had only launched initial inquiries at this stage.
“WorkSafe at the moment, they understand there’s a lot going on, not only at Carlton, but with Elijah and his family who are under an incredible amount of stress,” Wood said. “They’re not in a position to be adding to that at the moment.
“But they’re asking questions of them (the Blues) – and rightly so – just to gauge a bit more of the wider picture of what’s exactly happened and if there’s anything for them to investigate further. It’s an important step.”
Hollands’ dad and brother both posted emotional messages of support on social media on Tuesday.
Carlton aware Hollands was ‘struggling’ | 01:18
Hollands’ father, Ben, took to Instagram on Tuesday morning with a touching message alongside a photo of Elijah.
“This is my beautiful boy,” the post began.
“For those supporting someone who is struggling: Encourage them, affirm them, and love them. Go to them, remind them of who they truly are.”
Hours later, Elijah’s younger brother Ollie Hollands, who was also part of the Blues team on Thursday night, posted a tribute accompanied with a photo of him and Elijah.
“We want to say a huge thank you to the Carlton Football Club, Blues supporters and the greater AFL community for all of your support and love,” Ollie wrote.
Wood pointed to Ollie Hollands’ appreciation of the Blues’ support.
“It really caught the eye of a lot of people in the industry around the deep gratitude and thanks to the Carlton Football Club,” she said.
“So much focus has been on their handling of the night in question and what has followed, but the feeling from the family is one of thanks and they’re obviously feeling well supported.”