‘Big hole to fill’: Hollands confirms delisting in heartfelt post
Elijah Hollands has issued a heartfelt goodbye to the AFL community following the announcement of his delisting from Carlton on Wednesday afternoon.
Hollands and $5 million midfielder Zac Williams are among seven players Carlton has delisted.
Elijah Hollands of the Blues. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The 24-year-old Hollands hasn’t played at any level since experiencing a mental health episode during Carlton’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG in round seven.
The fallout from the incident resulted in the AFL handing Carlton a $75,000 fine, with league chief executive Andrew Dillon stating the club had “brought the game into disrepute” over its handling of the situation.
Breaking his silence for the first time since stepping back from the game, Hollands took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to reflect on his career.
“I have spent a long time trying to find the best way to deliver the emotions I’ve felt over this decision,” he wrote.
“Football means an extreme amount to me. My dad played professional footy, my great-grandfather played professional footy, my brother plays professional footy - it is everything I have lived and breathed for as long as I can remember.
“I have only ever wanted to do one thing my entire life: copy what was done before me and play AFL footy. It was something that I just knew I was going to do when I was a kid, and it was all I ever cared about - and now, unfortunately, that purpose I had is no longer.
“I love this game, but I have come to realise that there are things in my life that are far more important than footy right now, and they’re the things I will now prioritise.”
Hollands, who is not expected to be on an AFL list in 2027, noted he will forever cherish the memory of playing alongside his younger brother Ollie in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG.
“As an extremely confident 18-year-old, I certainly envisioned my career going a whole lot differently, but I am okay with accepting that it just isn’t in the plans set for me,” Hollands continued.
“I will cherish being able to share the stage with Ollie, and I am so grateful to say that I have done what so many dream of: playing in front of 90,000 people at the MCG with my own brother. That is something very special to me.
“I’ll be moving into the next chapter of my life, leaving what will feel like a big hole to fill, but I am excited about what can come from having my health and mind in much greater shape.”
Hollands played 47 AFL games: 14 for Gold Coast and 33 with Carlton.
The other players delisted alongside Hollands and Williams are Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Lewis Young, Flynn Young and Harry Charleson.
Williams made a high-profile move from GWS to Carlton in the 2020 trade period. But now, his time at Carlton is over after he reached the end of his six-year contract worth a reported $5 million.
He has played 183 AFL matches, including 113 for the Giants and 70 for the Blues.
”This time of year it can be difficult to farewell good people,” said Carlton footy boss Chris Davies.
“Zac, Lachie, Lewis and Jordan have all played their role for the senior side over the last five or six years, while Elijah, Flynn and Harry each contributed to our club in more recent seasons.
“We wish each player all the very best moving forward and thank them all for their time in the navy blue.”
