The brother of Elijah Hollands broken his silence after the Blues forward was admitted to hospital following a suspected medical episode.
WorkSafe has confirmed it will conduct preliminary inquiries into Carlton’s management of Elijah Hollands after the shock admission.
It occurred during last Thursday’s AFL match against Collingwood.
“WorkSafe is assessing the matter to determine whether any action is required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” a WorkSafe spokesperson told NewsWire.
They said there was no formal request from anyone for WorkSafe to assess Hollands’ handling.
Ollie Hollands – Elijah’s brother, who also plays for Carlton – took to Instagram to issue thanks to the club, supporters and the “greater AFL community” for all their “support and love”.
“There are no words to describe how grateful we are for all the love and support Elijah and our family have received,” he wrote.
“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 (Elijah).”
Ollie’s post was accompanied by a photo of the brothers as kids.
The timeline of WorkSafe’s assessment is typically a week, but it will not impact Carlton or the AFL’s investigation.
The results of WorkSafe’s inquiry will determine whether it will investigate.
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.
The development comes after Hollands’ father, Ben, and brother, Ollie, supported Elijah online.
Ben took to Instagram following the difficult week for Elijah and his family, vowing to “lift him up until he is restored in full”.
“This is my beautiful boy,” Ben wrote.
“For anyone in the midst of healing … You are loved.
“You have a unique and defined purpose.
“You are seen whole. I know who my son is – and I will lift him up until he is restored in full.
“For those supporting someone who is struggling: encourage them, affirm them, and love them.
“Go to them, remind them of who they truly are.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge wished Hollands a smooth recovery and spoke on the criticism players face.
“I have got no doubt what our players are exposed to, have to deal with and have to manage from a critique point of view is a lot more challenging than it ever has been,” he said.
“It seems to be some of the assessment and innuendos are a lot more personal than it ever has been.
“Everyone is trying to work out what that means. There seems to be no conscience in a lot of it.
“But from Carlton’s point of view, it’s too difficult to speculate because none of us have been there.
“It’s just a hugely challenging situation and I feel for them. Everyone feels for Elijah and his family. But I feel for everyone who’s involved in the Blues.
“You talk about trauma and things that are confronting, and it’s been confronting.
“Everyone at that football club needs support to help them through it, definitely Elijah … hopefully he’s going to be OK, but I just hope everyone who works at the Carlton Football Club are fine as well.”
