AFL Legends Question Carlton’s Investigation into Elijah Hollands Saga
AFL legends Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Lloyd have raised concerns about the way Carlton is handling the investigation into the Elijah Hollands incident, suggesting that the club has appointed the wrong person to lead the review. Their comments come at a time when the Blues are under intense scrutiny following the controversial events surrounding Hollands’ participation in a match against Collingwood on April 16.
The AFL world was shocked when Hollands, a 24-year-old player, was allowed to play an entire game despite several spectators noticing unusual behavior from him. His birthday had been the day before the match, and his performance was notably poor—only managing one disposal in a five-point loss. Collingwood players reportedly noticed him acting erratically during the game, with some claiming they could smell alcohol on him.
Carlton denied that Hollands was affected by drugs or alcohol, instead attributing his behavior to a medical episode. Since then, he has been admitted to the hospital for further evaluation.
The AFL ordered a club review to determine how Carlton allowed Hollands to play the game and continue despite his strange behavior. Additionally, WorkSafe Victoria is also investigating the incident.
Chris Davies, who only joined Carlton late last year as general manager of football, has been placed in charge of the review. The club submitted a report to the AFL on Friday, but the governing body has requested further clarification on several points.
Bartel has questioned whether Davies should be part of the investigation rather than leading it. He pointed out that Davies holds a significant role in the club’s operations and would be responsible for many decisions made on match days.
“Who is actually running this process?” Bartel asked on Nine’s Footy Classified. “He is head of football, and on match day he is in charge of everything football… he is the CEO of everyone below him, and everybody who would need questions asked (of them) would report into him.”
Bartel added that if Davies is leading the investigation, there is a risk of bias. “You wonder why he is leading the charge, considering there would need to be a lot of questions directed towards him and his involvement in match day.”
Lloyd echoed similar concerns, suggesting that an external party should handle the review to ensure transparency. “I think it should be an external person do this,” he said on Footy Classified. “Because the honesty is not going to come to someone at Carlton, the honesty would come to someone outside Carlton.”
Dr Matt Chamberlain, the top Blues medico, has taken personal leave and is reportedly considering legal options if the investigation finds him culpable. This development has added another layer of complexity to the situation.
On Monday night, Seven’s Tom Morris reported that Chamberlain has stepped back from his duties at Carlton following the Hollands incident. Morris also noted that the doctor is preparing to explore legal avenues if he is implicated in the findings.
Hollands’ younger brother, Ollie, was pulled out of the weekend’s game in Perth, but the Blues hope he will be able to face St Kilda on Saturday night.
Key Points of Concern
- The appointment of Chris Davies to lead the investigation has raised eyebrows among AFL veterans.
- There are concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Davies’ role in the club’s operations.
- Dr Chamberlain has taken leave and may pursue legal action if found responsible.
- The AFL and Carlton are under pressure to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation.
- The involvement of an external party is being suggested to maintain credibility.
Future Steps
As the investigation continues, the AFL and Carlton will need to address these concerns to restore confidence in their processes. The outcome of the review will be closely watched by fans and media alike, with many hoping for clarity and accountability.
