Carlton has undergone an extensive review of the game of Elijah Hollands, working with the AFL and medical experts following his performance against Collingwood on Thursday night, concluding it was a mental health episode.
The unusual behaviour displayed by Hollands, who's previously opened up on his mental health battles, has been treated as a medical episode, not substance related.
The Blues released the following statement:
"The Carlton Football club is continuing to provide close and ongoing care to Elijah Hollands, who suffered a mental health episode on Thursday night.
"Carlton is continuing to provide close and ongoing care to Elijah Hollands, who suffered a mental health episode on Thursday night.
"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."
The AFL is in on-going talks with the Blues regarding Hollands, who was left "shattered" as vision shared on social media appearing to show him out of sorts.
The Blues player had just one possession and three pressure acts from 60 per cent game time, with disturbing vision circulating throughout the AFL world.
"We are having on-going discussions with Carlton and also ensuring Elijah has the relevant support," an AFL spokesperson said on Friday morning.
After the game, Carlton coach Michael Voss said: "He's pretty shattered with his game, to be honest with you.".
"I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he started the game, really upset.
"He sort of feels like he's let me down so I had a good chat with him. He was pretty emotional after the game.
"He didn't play a great game and struggled to get his way into it and feels disappointed with his performance and obviously with the importance of the night, he feels like he's let people down.
"We've got to keep supporting people through those situations."
Hollands spent most of the last quarter on the bench, with Voss indicating it was a result of his quiet night and the Blues needing to find the right mix to try and win the game.
The 23-year-old took personal leave in 2025 and was delisted following the conclusion of last season, before fighting his way back onto Carlton's list in the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).
Meanwhile, Harry McKay is set to miss Carlton's clash with Fremantle due to a concussion suffered in the last quarter.
The key forward has a history of head knocks, with the Blues undoubtedly set to take a cautious approach with such a key pillar of the side.
