Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands on drug charge in Queensland

Carlton hailed his recruitment as a coup, but less than 24 hours later its been revealed he’s at the centre of a drug scandal.

Elijah Hollands who has moved from the Gold Coast Suns to the Cartlon Blues. Picture: Getty

Exclusive: Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands is facing a charge of possessing a dangerous drug in Queensland.

The former pick 7 in the AFL draft sealed a trade from the Gold Coast Suns to the Blues this week.

The Southport Magistrates Court confirmed that Hollands, 21, was due to appear on October 31 on a charge of possessing dangerous drugs, believed to be cocaine.

Hollands was expected to attend the first mention hearing in court one, which was listed for 8.30am.

The AFL said in a statement: “The Gold Coast Suns had made the AFL Integrity Unit aware of the incident and the AFLIU will await the outcome of the pending court hearing before completing its own process.”

Carlton boasted about Hollands’ “elite running” when it announced the deal to sign Hollands on a one-year deal on Wednesday.

The club handed over a future third round pick and received a future fourth round pick from the Suns as compensation.

The Blues told the Herald Sun on Thursday that the club was “aware that Elijah Hollands has been served with a notice to appear in court relating to possession of an illicit substance.”

“The Club was notified last month by Hollands, who was a Gold Coast Suns player at the time, given its existing interest in bringing him to the football club,” a statement said.

“An informed decision was then made to proceed with the recruitment and the Club will now provide the necessary support to Hollands.

“He will commence pre-season training upon its scheduled resumption in November.”

Suns list boss Craig Cameron was asked about a potential trade of Hollands earlier this week, confirming the club was ready to make a deal.

Elijah Hollands pictured in his Suns colours in his last game before moving to Carlton. Picture: Getty

“Yeah we are – and there’s a number of reasons around it,” he said on SEN.

“Elijah probably didn’t grasp his opportunity that we gave him.”

He added Hollands was “not exorbitantly paid, but I think we have to be really vigilant on all of our contracts going forward.”

The news comes on the day that Melbourne player Joel Smith was provisionally suspended for returning a positive test, also believed to be cocaine.

Hollands, from Victorian border town Wodonga, was a standout selection in the 2020 AFL draft.

He played 14 senior games at the Suns, and was a member of its reserves side VFL flag this year.

“We are looking to build versatility across our playing list and Elijah fits that mould for us, as an elite runner who can play through the midfield as well as half-forward,” Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said when Hollands deal was announced.

“His game is based around contest and pressure, two things we really pride ourselves on at the Club. We look forward to seeing Elijah get to work over the summer and compete for his place in the senior side.”

Hollands joins his younger brother Ollie at Carlton, with the club highlighting the family links at the club including siblings John and Don Nicholls, Stephen and David Kernahan, and Ed and Charlie Curnow in a press statement this week.

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Originally published as Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands on drug charge in Queensland