Carlton is set to be hit with a $75,000 sanction by the league after the extensive review into the Blues’ decision to play Elijah Hollands amid a Round 6 mental health episode.
Hollands was spotted behaving erratically and only had one disposal in the Blues’ loss to Collingwood last month, sparking fears about his mental health.
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Hollands was hospitalised five days after the episode played out on the MCG during the Round 6 loss to Collingwood that prompted a full-scale internal investigation.
The fine is understood to be going towards Headspace which works in the mental health space for young people providing wellbeing services for those affected and their families, as reported by Code Sports.
The AFL, Carlton and the AFL Players’ Association have all been involved in the review – which has taken almost a fortnight to complete – that has been overseen by league football operations boss Laura Kane.
The AFL is also expected to mandate that clubs employ full-time psychologists in response to the event.
Most clubs are hamstrung by soft cap limitations in how much they can employ psychologists, with most continuing to work in private practice in conjunction with their football commitments.
A number of clubs say they were only able to have psychologists on deck at home matches, with one citing finances as a key hurdle.
Meanwhile Hollands’ brother Ollie, posting a photo of the pair as children, said the family had been overwhelmed by support, while his father Ben had also thanked the football community for its ongoing support.
“There are no words to describe how grateful we are for all the love and support Elijah and our family have received,” he wrote.
“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.
“It’s incredibly challenging watching your own brother go through something like this but the amount of support that we have received has been overwhelming and as a family we will be forever grateful.
“Love you Roger.”
A number of teammates offered their support, including Lucas Camporeale and Cooper Lord, while Ollie and Elijah’s younger brother Aussie also revealed his thanks.
“I would just like to say the amount of love and support we have received as a family over the past couple of days has been nothing short of incredible and we are truly feeling every bit of it,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Elijah and our family are extremely grateful for the way this situation has been handled and we know there is an army of people behind our family.
“We love you Lij.”
WorkSafe told Code Sports that early inquiries were being made, though no action may yet be taken.
“WorkSafe is assessing the matter to determine whether any action is required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” a WorkSafe spokesman said.
Blues chief executive Graham Wright said in the days that followed the incident that the club had been aware that Hollands was struggling during the game.
“But we’re in the process of going through all the circumstances leading up to the game (and) two or three weeks prior to the game, whether anything changed for Elijah, and working through what happened during the game and post game,” Wright said.
“We were aware that he was struggling in the game and he’s (previously) had… anxiety and panic attacks.
“Our guys were dealing with him in the game and obviously knew that he was having some problems.”
