It wasn’t until the latter part of the previous season that Elijah Hollands broached the idea with his younger brother Ollie: what if they played for the same club?
Although Elijah was under contract with Gold Coast for another season, his sporadic appearances in the Suns’ lineup and growing interest from other teams led him to consider a change. Carlton, where Ollie had an impressive debut season in 2023, expressed interest in bringing the brothers together. However, the siblings needed to discuss the implications of a potential trade to the Blues.
“I waited to have those discussions with Ollie until I had a clearer idea of my intentions. After talking to Ollie, our family, and the footy club, we decided to keep Ollie and me separate,” Elijah shared with AFL.com.au this week.
“While the prospect of playing together is exciting, we wanted to ensure it would benefit both of us. I didn’t foresee any potential issues. We needed to assess if it was the right move for us. However, considering the trajectory of our individual careers, we don’t anticipate any problems. And if any arise, ultimately, we had to recognize that, as athletes, we need to separate ourselves, whether playing with a sibling or not, given the cutthroat nature of the industry. We’ll support each other, no matter what unfolds in the coming years.”
The 21-year-old’s confidence in joining his younger brother at Carlton was partly influenced by the club’s pitch for him to play as a forward/midfielder, a shift from his usual wing position at Gold Coast over the past two years, where Ollie also excelled during his debut season. While the prospect of competing for the same position added an extra layer of intrigue, Hollands has spent the summer training across the forward/midfield groups, showcasing his skills in a role where he excelled as a junior before being drafted as the No.7 pick by Gold Coast in 2020.
Despite the initial setback in his AFL journey due to a knee reconstruction at the start of his draft year, Hollands has now completed another full pre-season as he aims to secure a spot in the Carlton lineup.
“It feels like coming back home,” he expressed. “I’ve worked with assistants Jordy Russell in the forward line and Tim Clarke in the midfield to gain exposure in both areas of the ground. Returning to my original position but with new teammates has been the next step.”
The deadline-day trade deal during last year’s trade period faced uncertainty, as Hollands disclosed to both Gold Coast and Carlton that he had been charged with possession of an illicit substance at the conclusion of the Suns’ season.
Throughout the process, Carlton coach Michael Voss and the club maintained communication with Hollands, ultimately deciding to proceed with the trade. Hollands, who has since appeared in court and received a separate two-game suspension from the AFL to start the season, acknowledged the stress of the situation, particularly in determining whether the trade would be finalized. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, Hollands was transparent with the club, addressing the incident with both parties and expressing gratitude for the club’s support.
“It was quite stressful because my primary concern was whether the deal would go through. The situation wasn’t ideal, and I had to discuss it with the footy club first, addressing the issue with both sides and explaining what transpired. We had conversations about it, and the club has been incredibly supportive since my arrival,” he explained.
“I was upfront about it, and there was a lot of uncertainty about whether the trade would proceed. These were aspects I had to acknowledge and take responsibility for.”
Hollands has committed to a one-year contract with the Blues for 2024, expressing confidence in his ability to secure a longer tenure with the team by showcasing his skills during the upcoming season.
“In the end, my primary goal was to be here, and accepting a one-year contract was part of that agreement. Now that I’m here, my aim is to showcase my strengths and build towards a lasting career with the team,” he stated.
“[Coach Voss] was fantastic. We had several discussions during that period, and he was transparent and forthright with his opinions and thoughts, something I appreciated. Upon my arrival at the footy club, he emphasized that it was a fresh start for me, a sentiment that has held true.
“I feel confident in my training performance. Establishing positive on-field relationships and returning to my natural position has allowed me to position myself to display my abilities.”
Hollands has been consistently demonstrating his skills during training with Carlton, collaborating closely with captain Patrick Cripps and expressing eagerness to secure a spot in the side that reached the preliminary finals.
“I observed quite a few games last year, and it’s definitely a distinct perspective when you can watch it up close. It feels like I’m gaining an unfair advantage in a way. The team had an incredible run at the end of last year, and I’m joining in towards the tail end of it. It’s incredibly exciting, and the summer has been fantastic,” he expressed.
Returning to Melbourne, where he attended boarding school at Caulfield Grammar, has also meant reuniting with Ollie. The brothers hadn’t lived under the same roof for six years, as they attended different schools (Ollie boarded at Geelong Grammar until his draft in 2022). Currently residing in Carlton, just a short drive from Ikon Park – or an even quicker ride on a Lime bike.
“Ollie got a Lime bike a couple of weeks ago, and he mentioned it only took him a few minutes,” Elijah shared. “Initially, I wasn’t keen on living with him, but now that we are, it’s actually been great.”
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