MELBOURNE, Australia — The Carlton Football Club faces a substantial penalty of 75,000 Australian dollars ($54,000) after officials determined the team inadequately managed a player experiencing a mental health crisis during competition.
Twenty-four-year-old Elijah Hollands participated in Carlton’s match against Collingwood on April 16, despite displaying concerning behavior that was captured on video and raised alarm among spectators and observers.
Game recordings revealed Hollands exhibiting disoriented behavior and irregular movements on the field, with witnesses noting strange conduct during pre-game activities, including an attempted goal kick that barely traveled a few meters.
Five days following the match, Hollands required hospitalization. His father Ben Hollands, a former AFL athlete, took to social media to express his commitment to supporting his son while encouraging others to reach out to friends who may be experiencing difficulties.
AFL Commissioner Andrew Dillon announced Tuesday that multiple warning signs were present, including observable behavior, game performance statistics, and knowledge of Hollands’ medical background, indicating “he should have been removed from play earlier than he was.”
According to Dillon, the team’s delay in removing Hollands from the field damaged the sport’s reputation, emphasizing that the penalty targets the organization rather than specific individuals. The fine will be directed to Headspace, the AFL’s mental health advocacy partner focused on youth support.
“What transpired during the game was something we haven’t seen before, and while Elijah did undergo checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time,” Dillon explained. “The incident has highlighted something important for our game: While our physical injury protocols are strong and well-understood, mental health presentations can be variable, and are complex.”
Laura Kane, serving as the AFL’s executive general manager of football operations, announced upcoming policy changes, including mandatory employment of full-time mental health professionals for all AFL and AFLW teams.
“This has been about care, clarity and action,” Kane stated. “This is bigger than one club or one night.”
