Carlton has broken its silence over Elijah Hollands’ behaviour with the football club confessing it was aware during the game the footballer was acting in an unusual way.
Carlton chief executive Graham Wright on Sunday morning said the club is still trying to find answers as to why no action was taken as Hollands appeared to be showing signs of erratic behaviour throughout the night.
Wright described Hollands’ issues as “unprecedented and complex”.
“We were aware that he was struggling in the game and he’s (previously) had … anxiety and panic attacks,” he said.
“Our guys were dealing with him in the game and obviously knew that he was having some problems.”
Wright confirmed the 23-year-old will not travel to Perth for the club’s Round 7 match against Fremantle on Saturday.
He said Hollands is “OK” and has been spending time with family and has been supported by medical staff.
The former Collingwood head of football said the club does not “suspect” Hollands was under the influence of any form of drug or substance.
Wright directly addressed rumours that Collingwood have told AFL officials that Hollands told them he had been drinking before the game.
“I heard that report,” he said.
“I haven’t heard anything from Collingwood or the AFL.”
Football journalist Damian Barrett responded to the press conference by saying it is a “disturbing outcome” that the club did not do anything.
Hollands showed clear signs of erratic behaviour during the club’s loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night.
Many football commentators were left fearing for Hollands’ wellbeing after watching his unusual behaviour. He did not record a disposal, despite playing 60 per cent of game time.
Concerning footage of Hollands before the game even started also swirled across cyberspace on Friday.
Wright spoke to reporters at IKON Park on Sunday after the club released a statement.
“The Carlton Football Club remains in close consultation with the AFL and AFLPA, as it continues to look into the circumstances that occurred on Thursday night in relation to Elijah Hollands,” the club said.
“The Club will continue its process in obtaining a thorough account of the events that occurred on Thursday night, and from there, continue its consultation with the AFL and AFLPA.”
Michael Voss made the only public statement about Hollands’ condition after the game when the Blues coach said Hollands was “shattered” and felt he “let people down” following the five-point loss.
Carlton eventually issued a club statement on Friday night, saying Hollands had “suffered a mental health episode”.
It comes after veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reported Collingwood players informed AFL officials that Hollands told them he had been drinking before the game.
“Sam Edmund said yesterday drugs were not involved. I am not sure where he got that information but I certainly can’t confirm that. I don’t know if he was drug tested,” Wilson said on 3AW.
“Obviously, (he has) high anxiety and had a mental health episode.”
When asked to clarify what she had been told about his alleged alcohol intake, Wilson said, “I can’t prove there is alcohol involved but it’s coming strongly from Collingwood players that there was.”
Wilson’s claim came as the AFL asked Carlton to share its review into what happened on Thursday night.
“The health and wellbeing of every player is the AFL’s highest priority,” the AFL said in a statement on Saturday.
“The AFL has today requested Carlton to, once concluded, provide the outcome of its review of the circumstances relating to Elijah Holland’s fitness to play in Thursday night’s match.
“The AFL will continue to make inquiries with the club in relation to the matter.”
Hollands took personal leave from the AFL last season and later confirmed this was due to mental health issues and a battle with alcohol.
He also revealed during a game against Sydney in Round 10 last season that he suffered a “mini panic attack”.
Hollands was delisted by Carlton at the end of the 2025 campaign but trained with the club during the off-season before it was confirmed he had been added back to the club’s rookie list after impressing officials.
