Elijah Hollands' erratic AFL performance and mental health concerns after Carlton's loss to Collingwood
Consensus Summary
Elijah Hollands drew widespread concern after a dismal performance in Carlton’s narrow loss to Collingwood on April 17, 2026, at the MCG. He registered just one disposal despite playing a majority of the match, leaving coach Michael Voss describing him as 'pretty shattered' and emotionally distressed. Hollands, who has openly discussed past struggles with anxiety and alcohol, was benched in the final quarter as Collingwood staged a late comeback from 18 points down. The match also saw Carlton’s Josh Daicos give away a costly free kick in the dying seconds, nearly costing his team a draw. Hollands’ erratic behavior and mental health challenges have resurfaced amid Carlton’s poor form this season, with the club emphasizing support for his wellbeing. While both sources agree on the core details of his poor performance and emotional state, discrepancies exist in the exact percentage of match time he played and whether his heartbeat was monitored during the game.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Elijah Hollands played 60% (The Age) / 75% (ABC) of the match against Collingwood, registering just one disposal (a kick) in Carlton’s 13.10 (88) to 12.11 (83) loss on 2026-04-17 at the MCG.
- Carlton coach Michael Voss stated Hollands was 'pretty shattered' with his performance and 'really disappointed with how he started the game,' feeling he had 'let me down.'
- Hollands was benched for most of the last quarter, with Voss citing 'constant conversations' with him during the match and noting he 'wasn’t having a great night.'
- Hollands previously spoke to The Age in October 2025 about battling anxiety and alcohol use, including a match where he had a 'mini-panic attack' on-field and struggled to breathe.
- Hollands was delisted by Carlton at the end of the 2025 season but re-signed after summer training, playing all six games this season before the Collingwood match.
- Carlton’s Josh Daicos gave away a last-minute free kick in the final seconds, leading to Collingwood’s winning shot attempt (missed by Talor Byrne).
- Collingwood won from 18 points down at three-quarter time, kicking six goals in the first three quarters and seven in the final term.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hollands told the Blues he struggled to sleep the night before the match, and Carlton monitored his heartbeat in the second half.
- Hollands played one of the game’s finest last quarters in his 100th match, single-handedly lifting Carlton over the line in a game decided by five points.
- Nick Daicos was spoon-fed silver service by ruckman Oscar Steene, dominating centre clearances, while Carlton’s reshuffle in the last term caused confusion and a six-six-six breach.
- Collingwood coach Craig McRae instructed his team to take risks and ramp up pressure in the last quarter, which sparked Jamie Elliott’s return to form with three goals.
- Josh Daicos described feeling 'sick' after the free kick, saying, 'You just can’t do that in today’s game.'
- Hollands’ brother Ollie was sent to Daicos in the last term after Sam Walsh was assigned the task earlier.
- Collingwood expects Jordan De Goey (concussion) and Steele Sidebottom (hip) back for their Anzac Day clash with Essendon.
- Hollands’ one disposal was awarded retrospectively by Champion Data in the third term.
- Carlton has a 1-5 win-loss record this season, losing for a fourth time after leading during the second half.
- Videos circulated online showing Hollands appearing confused and exhibiting erratic behavior during the match.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age states Hollands played 60% of the match, while ABC states he played 75% of the match across the first three quarters.
- The Age mentions Carlton monitored Hollands’ heartbeat in the second half, but ABC does not reference this detail.
Source Articles
Concern for Hollands after erratic on-field behaviour in Blues’ loss
Carlton said post-match they had monitored Hollands’ heartbeat in the second half of Thursday night’s match.
'Shattered' Blue feels he let Carlton down in narrow loss to Collingwood
Carlton coach Michael Voss says the club will support Elijah Hollands after his performance against Collingwood last night.