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Carlton criticized over Hollands' AFL display

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Key Points
  • Elijah Hollands showed concerning pre-game and in-game behavior during Carlton's loss to Collingwood.
  • He managed only one disposal, with footage indicating erratic movements and poor performance.
  • AFL analysts Kane Cornes and David King criticized Carlton's handling and questioned his fitness to play.

According to the Daily Mail, broadcast footage captured Hollands misfiring badly with a routine set shot during warm-ups, and additional vision showed him making unusual hand movements and behavior as he entered the ground. The 23-year-old reportedly struggled to sleep the night before the game. During the match, vision indicated Hollands struggled to get involved, moving erratically and appearing out of sync, managing just one disposal from limited game time.

He was initially recorded without a statistic but later credited with a single disposal, an ineffective kick in the third term. Hollands' heart rate was checked during the game, and Collingwood stormed home from an 18-point deficit to win. Kane Cornes questioned how the situation was allowed to unfold, with the Daily Mail reporting he described it as alarming and asked what gave Carlton confidence he was fit to play.

Can we separate the two issues? We have to support the kid; he is clearly in a bad place.

David King, AFL analyst

David King echoed concerns about Hollands' welfare and the football department's responsibility, with the Daily Mail noting he described the need to support the player and questioned why he played three quarters. It remains unclear what specific mental health or personal issues Hollands is facing or why Carlton's coaching staff allowed him to play despite his visible struggles.

It's time for them to wrap their arms around him. Mental health is front of mind everywhere and we have had tragedy this week.

David King, AFL analyst

From a football point of view, the responsibility of the line coach or head coach to see this problem in real time and the fact it was unchecked for three quarters alarms me.

David King, AFL analyst

I don't understand how so many people in the stadium can see he is not contributing to this game.

David King, AFL analyst

He was not assisting his team, he couldn't get his hands on the footy, he was rattled, he was out of position, why did he play three quarters?

David King, AFL analyst

If Elijah had sat out at half time, use the bench rotations, find a way to subsidise losing that player. He offered nothing for three and a half quarters of footy. How does that happen? I don't understand that from a line coach point of view.

David King, AFL analyst

I couldn't stop watching him, you could tell something was off.

David King, AFL analyst
Corroborated
Daily Mail - SportThe Guardian - Main UK
2 publications · 7 sources
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Carlton criticized over Hollands' AFL display | Reed News