‘Frankly not helpful’: AFL club doctors speak out on Hollands affair

The AFL’s club doctors have defended the conduct and professionalism of Carlton’s medical team in the Elijah Hollands affair.

Dr David Long, a club doctor at Richmond and previously a medico for Geelong and Brisbane, who is also president of the AFL Doctors’ Association, also urged media commentators to exercise caution when speculating about the health issues arising from the Hollands case.

He said this speculation was not helpful to Hollands, who was admitted to hospital last week after experiencing a mental health episode during the round six match against Collingwood at the MCG 10 days ago.

The AFL is expected to have further questions for Carlton after the Blues handed over their account of what transpired before and during the game, when Hollands was assessed multiple times by club doctors, and a club psychologist was dialled for the conversation. The player remained on the field until the 20-minute mark of the last quarter and had only one disposal for the match.

“The physical and mental welfare of all players remains the highest priority of AFL club medical staff. While acknowledging that the internal and external reviews into the circumstances of Carlton’s round six game at the MCG are ongoing, the AFL Doctors Association would like to reinforce its support for the integrity and calibre of Carlton Football Club’s doctors and broader multidisciplinary medical team,” Long said in a statement from the AFLDA.

“In light of ongoing media commentary, the AFL Doctors Association would ask for caution in speculation on health matters from those without expertise and without full knowledge of the facts of the case.

“This is frankly not helpful in addressing what we all agree is the immediate priority – the welfare of the player involved. It has the potential to compromise their privacy and potentially their recovery. It is also important to acknowledge the personal toll this type of situation can have on all those involved, including the medical staff, and we’d ask that this be considered when providing commentary.”

The doctors’ statement follows Carlton coach Michael Voss’ strong backing of staff at Carlton over their care for Hollands.

Under AFL rules, clubs can be fined $50,000 or more if they are found to have sent a player onto the field who was not fit to play.

The 23-year-old had said he was struggling during the match, and willingly submitted to a drug test in the aftermath of the game. The result of the test has not been made public.

Hollands’ younger brother, Ollie, who was on the field with him against Collingwood, did not play in Saturday night’s 14-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium, although he did travel to Perth with the team.

“It’s been a big week for everyone, and a big week for the family,” Voss said.

“He [Ollie] wanted to play – he’s an absolute competitor – but we just sort of felt like with how the week’s played out, it would be better to maybe sit this one out.

“He’s in a good space, but we obviously felt like it was the better way to go.”

Long ended the doctors’ association statement by emphasising the importance of investment in health services.

“We’d like to highlight the importance of continued investment from clubs and the AFL in health services across the AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW programs to ensure the highest level of care for the players is maintained,” he said.