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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Ollie Hollands 'in a good space' despite late omission after brother's struggles

From ABC Australia · (6h ago) English Mixed tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Carlton player Ollie Hollands was withdrawn from a match due to his brother Elijah's ongoing mental health struggles.
  • The club is cooperating with the AFL and WorkSafe regarding Elijah's previous on-field behavior.
  • Coach Michael Voss stated Ollie is in a good space and expected to play next week, while Elijah's return timeline is uncertain.

Carlton coach Michael Voss confirmed that Ollie Hollands was withdrawn from the recent match against Fremantle as a precautionary measure, acknowledging the immense pressure the family has been under. This decision came after a tumultuous week for the club, dominated by concerns over Elijah Hollands's mental health episode during the previous game against Collingwood.

The club has submitted a report to the AFL concerning Elijah's unusual behavior on the field, and the Victorian workplace safety watchdog, WorkSafe, is also investigating the matter. Questions linger about whether Carlton will face penalties for allowing a player exhibiting concerning signs to remain on the field for a significant duration.

It's been a big week for everyone, and a big week for the family. He wanted to play. He's an absolute competitor, and we just sort of felt like with how the week's played out, it'd be better to maybe sit this one out. He's in a good space. But we sort of obviously felt like it was probably the better way to go.

— Michael VossExplaining the decision to withdraw Ollie Hollands from the game.

Despite his desire to play, Ollie Hollands was flown to Perth and then withdrawn hours before the game. Voss emphasized that Ollie is currently in a "good space" and is expected to return for the upcoming match against St Kilda. The trip to Perth was framed as an opportunity for Ollie to receive support from the Carlton community.

Meanwhile, the timeline for Elijah Hollands's return remains unclear. He has previously taken personal leave from the club twice last year, later disclosing his battles with mental ill-health and alcohol. Voss and the Blues have faced considerable criticism following Elijah's erratic performance, and the trip to Perth was seen as a chance to refocus and foster a more positive team environment, injecting humor and lightness into a difficult period.

We've tried to really enjoy each other's company. We've tried to put some humour into the back end of the week, and keep it pretty light rather than dark.

— Michael VossDescribing the team's efforts to maintain morale during a difficult week.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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