AFL Draft 2022: Wodonga’s Elijah Hollands selected for Gold Coast debut match
Just a week after his younger brother blitzed for Vic Country and boosted his draft prospects, Wodonga’s Elijah Hollands will play his first AFL match.
Wodonga’s Elijah Hollands will make his AFL debut for Gold Coast against Brisbane on Saturday night.
The No.7 selection at the 2020 national draft sealed selection for his first match with 23 possessions in the Gold Coast VFL team’s narrow win against Essendon last Sunday.
On the same day, younger brother Oliver boosted his draft prospects with a starring role for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships.
Elijah’s draft year was a total wipe-out on two fronts.
He suffered a serious knee injury in the lead-up to the season that was ultimately cancelled due to covid.
“It’s a very surreal feeling and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in on Saturday night,” he said.
“To be able to live out the dream of playing AFL footy is very exciting.
“It has been a journey coming in with the rehab group and not getting stuck into footy until late last year in my first season.”
Hollands’ father Ben played eight senior AFL matches for Richmond after starring in the Ovens and Murray league for North Albury.
After his short stint with the Tigers, Hollands headed for the SANFL and was a star player with West Adelaide.
He returned to the O and M to play for Wodonga and was a member of its last premiership team in 2004.
Hollands also coached the club with limited success.
Last year, he came out of retirement to play for Tallangatta in the Tallangatta and District league.
EARLIER
Wodonga’s Oliver Hollands has boosted his chances of joining older brother Elijah on an AFL senior list with a standout performance in Vic Country’s 43-point win against Western Australia in the under-18 nationals championships on Sunday.
The Geelong Grammar student racked up nine possessions in the opening term before finishing with a game high 34 touches as part of a dominant Vic Country midfield.
His bother Elijah overcame a serious knee injury to be taken by Gold Coast with a top-10 pick in the 2020 national draft.
He is yet to make his senior debut for the Suns, but had 23 touches in his latest VFL match against Essendon on Sunday.
Queenscliff’s Jhye Clark was again prominent in the Vic Country midfield to be firmly in contention to be taken in the first round of this year’s draft.
Also boosting their draft prospects was Darley key position player Aaron Cadman.
He booted 3.3 with two goals coming in quick succession in the second term, the first from a strong contested mark and the second from an impressive ground ball collect and snap.
Echuca’s Noah Long provided another highlight with a brilliant snap goal from the forward pocket just before the quarter time siren.
Vic Country remains undefeated after three games, as does Vic Metro, with the two teams to meet in September to decide this year’s champion.
Vic Country coach Paul Corrigan said his players kept stepping up to every challenge.
“The more time the boys are able to spend together, the more they start to understand and build better connections with each other,” he said.
“Albeit with the (heavy) conditions, I thought we played pretty well.
“As a whole they’ve all adjusted to the nationals type footy compared to NAB League.
“We’re starting to see some real consistency and a few stepped up again which was really pleasing.
Yarrawonga’s Caleb Mitchell suffered a corked thigh early in the second half and sat out the remainder of the match.
Vic Country is still hoping highly rated Brayden George can return from a knee injury and play against Vic Metro in September.
“I think he could be back in coming weeks and we’re hoping to see him back playing well in the NAB League,” Corrigan said.
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