Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Elijah Hollands has spoken for the first time since being admitted to hospital after an in-game mental health episode following his delisting from Carlton
Zac Williams, Jordan Boyd, Lewis Young, Flynn Young and Harry Charleson have also been told they will not be offered new contracts at the Blues, while assistant coach Tim Clarke has also departed after eight years at the Blues across two stints.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlton delists Hollands and Williams for 2027 season
Hollands was admitted to hospital after an in-game mental health episode against Collingwood in Round 6 and has not played at any level since.
The embattled midfielder was acting erratically during the game and recorded just one ineffective disposal from 60 per cent game time.
Employment watchdog WorkSafe were made aware of the situation in the aftermath and a subsequent investigation saw the Blues slapped with a $75,000 fine for allowing Hollands to play in the condition that he did.
The focus of Hollands and those around him remains on returning back to full health.
In a lengthy statement on his Instagram account, Hollands explained he is ready for the next chapter of his life.
“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.
“I’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.
“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.”
Williams joined Carlton on a lucrative contract at the end of the 2020 season after a glittering first eight years of his career at GWS.
The running defender showed flashes of brilliance during his time at Ikon Park, but fell out of favour in 2026 and ultimately never quite lived up to his big-money billing.
Williams sadly missed Carlton’s 2023 run to a preliminary final, having been sidelined for the entire year with an ACL injury suffered during pre-season.
Fogarty was drafted with pick 22 by Geelong in 2017 before eventually being traded to Carlton at the end of 2020. He played 69 games for the Blues and kicked 30 goals.
Young played 24 games across five seasons at the Western Bulldogs before crossing to the Blues for more opportunity.
He finishes with 70 games for the Blues since arriving from the Dogs ahead of the 2022 season.
Boyd (40 games) and Flynn Young (11) were both mid-season draftees, while Charleson never broke through for an AFL game.
“This time of year it can be difficult to farewell good people,” Carlton footy manager Chris Davies said.
“Zac, Lachie, Lewis and Jordan have all played their role for the senior side over the last five or six years, while Elijah, Flynn and Harry each contributed to our club in more recent seasons.
“We wish each player all the very best moving forward and thank them all for their time in the Navy Blue.”
Clarke spent three seasons at the Blues’ midfield coach between 2016-2018 before returning to the same role in 2022.
He stepped into a specialist assistant role focused on stoppages and structure at the end of 2025, but had his portfolio adjusted to become forwards coach when Josh Fraser took over after the sacking of Michael Voss.
“Tim is a fantastic football person, who showed unwavering dedication to our program and our players every day he walked through the door,” Davies said.
“He has spent a total of eight seasons at our club during his coaching journey and we thank him for his positive contribution during that time, not just within the football department but across our club as a whole.
“Tim departs having forged many great friendships at the Club over his time and we wish him well into the future.”
