Mental health episode, not substance abuse behind Elijah Hollands' erratic game, Carlton claims

Carlton is confident that Elijah Hollands' erratic behaviour on Thursday night was a result of a mental health episode, and not substance or alcohol abuse, the club has stated.

The 23-year-old tallied only one disposal from 60 per cent of game time and was benched late in the match, won by the Magpies 13.10 (88) to 12.11 (83).

Speaking after the game, Blues coach Michael Voss said Hollands was "pretty shattered" and "emotional" about his performance.

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Video is circulating on social media of Hollands appearing to act unusually during the game at the MCG.

The 23-year-old seemed to be somewhat jittery and perhaps unfocused at various points, and his erratic movement drew commentary from fans watching live.

Video footage from the pre-game showed Hollands struggling to kick the ball, with questions raised as to how Carlton allowed him to play in that state.

Carlton released a statement on Friday afternoon after SEN's Sam Edmund had earlier reported the club had ruled out substance abuse as the reason behind Hollands' behaviour.

"The Carlton Football Club is continuing to provide close and ongoing care to Elijah Hollands, who suffered a mental health episode on Thursday night," the club wrote.

"The 23-year-old is continuing to receive the appropriate level of medical and wellbeing support, with Hollands' welfare remaining the number one priority.

"The club also remains in contact with the AFL and the AFLPA, given the complicated nature of what occurred on Thursday night.

"While the club acknowledges the public interest, it asks that Hollands' privacy be respected, with the primary focus on ensuring he receives the level of care he needs, before a further update can be provided at an appropriate time."

Hollands was delisted by Carlton at the end of the 2025 season. He came forward late in the year to reveal he was battling anxiety, mental health and alcohol abuse problems.

He earned his spot back over the summer and started the season in strong form, despite the club's struggles.

SEN's earlier report had also stated the Blues saw no "alarm bells" before the game to indicate something was off with the forward, but their concern grew as the game went on.

Hollands revealed in 2025 that he has suffered panic attacks during games in the past, including during Carlton's loss to Sydney earlier in that year.

"I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he started the game, really upset, sort of feels like he's let me down," Voss said after the game.

"I had a good chat with him so he was pretty emotional after the game. Didn't play a great game and he struggled to get his way into it.

"He was clearly really disappointed in his performance and obviously really important to the night.

"He sort of feels like he's let people down but we've got to keep supporting people through those situations."

North Melbourne champion David King has called out Carlton, saying he is baffled that the club allowed Hollands to take the field against Collingwood on Thursday night.

Speaking on Friday morning, King said he can't understand why the club didn't pull him from the game sooner, given the clear issues.

"Can we separate the two issues? We've got to support the kid. He's clearly in a bad place and he's in a great spot at the club for them to wrap their arms around and help him through whatever it is," King told SEN.

"Mental health is front of mind everywhere. We've had tragedy in AFL circles this week. Let's leave him to the side for a minute.

"From a football point of view, the responsibility of the senior coach to see this problem in real time, the fact that it went unchecked for three quarters alarms me.

"I can't understand how so many people at the venue can see that this young man is not contributing to the game from a sheer football point of view. He couldn't get his hands on the footy, he looked rattled, he was out of position more often than not in a game they lost by a kick. Why did he play three and a half quarters?

"Sit him. Say 'he's just not right tonight'. You've got five on the bench anyway. He was offering nothing for three quarters of footy - how does that happen? I don't understand that from a coaching point of view."

Reports have emerged that Carlton officials were in the rooms with Hollands well past midnight as they planned out next steps for him.

The AFL Player's Association has also reportedly raised concerns about what was seen last night, how he was allowed to play and are concerned about the player's ongoing welfare.

Voss said the club's call to pull him from the game came in the final five minutes of the contest.

"He was clearly disappointed with himself and he was disappointed with how he was playing," Voss said.

"When it comes to the last quarter, you've obviously got to work out what mix you've got with five minutes to go about what you want on the field, and he wasn't having a great night.

"Constant conversations with him, and we obviously thought the best mix was to not have him out there."

Hollands began his AFL career on the Gold Coast, where he landed via pick seven in the 2020 draft.

He has played 33 games with Carlton since being traded to the Blues after the 2023 season.