Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Elijah Hollands says he will be “forever grateful” for the support he received in the fallout of what proved to be his final AFL game.
Hollands, who was officially delisted on Wednesday afternoon, suffered what Carlton described as a medical episode in a match against Collingwood in April.
Carlton was sanctioned $75,000 after the AFL deemed there was enough visual cues to suggest Hollands should have been removed from the game earlier.
Hollands never played again.
Elijah Hollands has issued a heartfelt message after he was delisted by Carlton. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Last month, Hollands returned to his local club in country Victoria as part of his small steps back to normality and released a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“Football means an extreme amount to me,” Hollands said in part.
“My dad played professional footy, my great-grandfather played professional footy, my brother plays professional footy — it is everything I have lived and breathed for as long as I can remember.
“I have only ever wanted to do one thing my entire life: copy what was done before me and play AFL footy.
“It was something that I just knew I was going to do when I was a kid, and it was all I ever cared about – and now, unfortunately, that purpose I had is no longer.”
Hollands was awarded just one disposal, this kick, in his final game. Picture: by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Hollands played 14 matches for Gold Coast Suns before joining his brother at Carlton for a further 33.
He said those three seasons alongside Ollie were a dream come true.
“I love this game, but I have come to realise that there are things in my life that are far more important than footy right now, and they’re the things I will now prioritise,” he said.
“As an extremely confident 18-year-old, I certainly envisioned my career going a whole lot differently, but I am okay with accepting that it just isn’t in the plans set for me.
“I will cherish being able to share the stage with Ollie, and I am so grateful to say that I have done what so many dream of: playing in front of 90,000 people at the MCG with my own brother. That is something very special to me.”
Hollands finished his post by thanking the AFL community.
“l’ll be moving into the next chapter of my life, leaving what will feel like a big hole to fill, but I am excited about what can come from having my health and mind in much greater shape,” he said.
“Lastly, I want to thank all the people who have supported me throughout my time in footy.
“With my challenges being so public, one thing I have noticed is that I have been backed by the greater AFL community, which I will be forever grateful for.
“I hope that kind of support can be shown more to both athletes and the people around each and every one of us.
“I can’t wait to be able to support the great friends I’ve made in footy, and Ollie, from the other side of the fence. Thank you.”
