Ex-Gold Coast Sun, new Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands pleads guilty to cocaine possession charge

Former Gold Coast Suns player and new Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands has spoken out after facing court on a cocaine possession charge. FULL DETAILS

Former Gold Coast Suns player and new Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands says he is “extremely remorseful” after being busted with cocaine at The Star casino.

The 21-year-old was supported by several representatives of his new AFL club when he fronted Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

It was heard security staff found a wallet in the toilets at the Broadbeach casino after 9pm on September 3. A bag containing less than 1g of cocaine and Hollands’ identification was found inside it.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Elijah Hollands arriving at the Southport courthouse alongside lawyer Darren Mahony. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Police prosecutor Sergeant Greg McKenzie said the wallet was returned to Hollands that night, but the drugs were seized by police.

Sgt McKenzie said Hollands later went to police himself, telling them in an interview the drugs were for his personal use.

It was the ex-Suns midfielder’s first court appearance on the drug charge, which was confirmed by the Carlton Football Club just a day after they traded for him.

The court was told both Hollands’ former and new clubs were made aware of his upcoming court proceedings during the trade process.

Defence lawyer Darren Mahony said Hollands had no criminal history and had clearly expressed remorse through his co-operation with both police and his clubs.

Mr Mahony said Hollands felt he had let himself and his family – who were “dedicated to health and fitness” – down, and was also struggling at the time to cope with his mother’s serious illness that had left her “at death’s door”.

Elijah Hollands playing for the Suns in the VFL. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Sometimes a young man with otherwise exemplary character, good family, and a bright future does something foolish, and that’s what’s happened here with Mr Hollands,” he said.

“The practical reality is he will suffer beyond what this court imposes.”

Magistrate Mark Bamberry agreed any sentence would “pale in comparison” to the public scrutiny Hollands would face, and said the references submitted on his behalf – including from Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans – spoke highly of him.

Hollands was placed on a two-month good behaviour bond, including conditions he must attend a drug education and information session. No conviction was recorded.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Elijah Hollands appears in Southport Magistrates Court on drug charges. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Carlton recruit gave a brief statement to reporters outside the Southport courthouse.

“I’d like to thank the magistrate for their time this morning – I made a mistake that I’m extremely remorseful for,” Hollands said.

“It’s not only impacted me but my family as well, and I’d like to thank both the Carlton (Football) Club and the Gold Coast Suns for their continued support over the last few weeks.”

Hollands joined the Suns with pick 7 in the 2020 draft, but was plagued by injury setbacks before making his AFL debut in July last year.

According to AFL precedent, Hollands could face a two-week ban that would likely be served in the first two rounds of the 2024 season.

In a statement released by Carlton on Tuesday afternoon, the club’s general manager of football Brad Lloyd said Hollands had been upfront and taken “full ownership of what was a poor decision”.

“The strong leadership our club has will allow Elijah to enter our environment with the support he needs and just like any player who walks through our doors, he will get to work on earning the respect of his teammates from day one of pre-season training.”