- Questions why the Blues exposed player who ‘clearly wasn’t right’
Comedian and lifelong Carlton supporter Dave Hughes has criticised the club’s handling of Elijah Hollands following the midfielder’s performance in Thursday night’s loss to Collingwood Magpies.
Hollands recorded just one disposal during the five-point defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with his on-field behaviour drawing widespread attention from fans, media and commentators.
Speaking on social media after the match, Hughes described what he saw after arriving late to the game.
‘I got to the ground at quarter time because of my comedy show Cooked,’ Hughes said.
‘When I got there my mate said we have a player on the ground who is cooked right now.
‘I said don’t be ridiculous, this is an AFL game with 80,000 people watching, there is no one out there cooked, and then I started watching.
Carlton tragic Dave Hughes was wild that his club allowed Elijah Hollands onto the field on Thursday night
The Carlton star has previously admitted battles with mental health and alcohol, displaying erratic behaviour on and off the field on Thursday
The club has released a statement saying Hollands was going through a medical episode and that it wasn’t the result of recreational drugs
‘So. F***ing. Cooked.’
Hughes questioned why Hollands remained on the field throughout the match.
‘There is a bench, he can sit on that all night. Say he has got a hamstring,’ he said.
‘Why leave a player on the ground who everyone can see isn’t right?’
‘He didn’t touch the f**king ball, we lost by 5 points’.
‘What the f***, what the f***, what the f*** are you doing?’
Carlton later confirmed Hollands’ performance was linked to a mental health episode and not substance-related, following an internal review conducted in consultation with the AFL and medical experts.
The club stated Hollands is receiving ongoing medical and wellbeing support, with his welfare the primary focus.
Coach Michael Voss addressed the situation post-match, saying: ‘He sort of feels like he’s let people down, but we’ve got to keep supporting people through those situations.’
Former AFL figures Joel Selwood and Tony Shaw also commented on the situation.
‘If we’re to blame anyone, I think it’s just a little unfair,’ Selwood said.
‘This is bigger than football now for him as an individual,’ Shaw said.
‘I don’t think he should play until all research has been done for his own health.’
Carlton has requested privacy for Hollands as he continues to receive care, while remaining in contact with the AFL and AFL Players’ Association regarding the circumstances surrounding the match.
