Leading journalist Caroline Wilson has claimed Collingwood players have informed the AFL that Elijah Hollands had told several players that he was under the influence of alcohol while on the field during Carlton’s Thursday night defeat to Collingwood.
During his worrying performance, Hollands was reportedly suffering from a mental health episode and was not under the influence of drugs, according to the Blues.
Yet in another twist on Saturday, Wilson revealed Carlton has refused to confirm to her that he wasn’t intoxicated during the game, where he failed to register a single disposal.
Wilson said while he was undoubtedly having a mental health episode, Pies players have informed the AFL, during the league’s investigation into what transpired, that Hollands had told them he had been drinking.
“There is the suggestion coming from Collingwood players, and Carlton have not denied (it) but certainly not confirmed (it), that Elijah Hollands was telling some Collingwood players that he had been drinking,” Wilson said on 3AW on Saturday.
“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.
“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 claims come 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.”
Speaking about the Hollands incident, Carlton coach Michael Voss said he was “shattered” and felt he “let people down” following the five-point loss.
While SEN’s Sam Edmund revealed on Friday that Carlton had performed a thorough review of the ordeal and are “absolutely certain” there was no substances behind what happened.
The club believe Holland’s erratic behaviour was a result of mental health problems, which he has opened up about in the past.
“The Blues are absolutely certain Hollands’ issues are not substance-related, but instead prompted by complex mental health challenges that the player has previously discussed,” Edmund wrote in an article for SEN on Friday.
“The club has taken a detailed look into Hollands’ movements in the build-up to the game and needed to be convinced the player’s actions at the MCG were not brought on by behavioural issues.
“But after investigating the circumstances and working in consultation with the AFL and medical experts, they are completely satisfied Hollands’ situation was a medical issue.”
It is understood there were no warning signs in Hollands warm-up to suggest he was in a fragile mental state.
He played 60 per cent of the game — but Blues staff reportedly became increasingly aware as the game went on that he should not be on the pitch.
Subsequently, he featured for just nine minutes in the fourth quarter.
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.
