The AFL has fined Carlton $75,000 after the club allowed Elijah Hollands to remain on the field while he was experiencing a mental health episode.
In the wake of the incident, the AFL will also make it mandatory for every club to employ a full-time psychologist, while a WorkSafe investigation is currently underway.
Here is what to know.
Background
On 16 April, Hollands experienced a mental health episode during Carlton’s Round 6 loss to Collingwood at the MCG.
The 24-year-old appeared disoriented on the field and finished the match with one disposal, but was not benched until late in the final quarter.
He was hospitalised four days later.
What happened
The league announced yesterday afternoon that the club had brought the game into disrepute by failing to remove Hollands earlier.
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The investigation found “sufficient visual cues, performance data and knowledge of the player’s individual circumstances” warranted earlier intervention.
The findings were made against Carlton as a club, not against any individual.
The $75,000 fine will be donated in full to youth mental health service Headspace.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said: “This is bigger than one club and bigger than one night. If there is a lesson in this, it is that our duty of care continues to evolve – and that must include mental health.”
Reforms
The league has also announced a series of mental health reforms.
They include mandating that all AFL and AFLW clubs appoint a full-time psychologist, expanding mental health literacy training across football departments.
It will also establish industry-wide ‘psychological fitness to play’ guidelines.
