A rising Aussie guidelines star and up to date Carlton recruit has admitted to possessing cocaine, present in his pockets within the lavatory of a Queensland on line casino, only a month earlier than signing with the excessive profile membership.
Elijah Benjamin Hollands escaped a conviction after pleading responsible at Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to a single cost of possessing a harmful drug.
He was as a substitute ordered to be of excellent behaviour for 2 months and attend a drug diversion program.
Outdoors court, Hollands, 21, informed ready media he made a “mistake” he was “extraordinarily remorseful for”.
“It’s not simply impacted me, however my family as nicely,” he stated.
“I’d prefer to thank the Carlton Soccer Membership and the Gold Coast Suns for his or her continued assist over the previous couple of weeks.”
The court was informed safety on the Star On line casino, in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, discovered Hollands’ pockets in one of many bogs at 9.29pm on September 3.
A pocket of the pockets contained a small clip seal bag containing lower than a gram of cocaine.
Hollands’ pockets was returned to him however police seized the drug.
A day later, he attended Broadbeach Police Station and admitted the cocaine was for his private use.
Hollands, a 2020 top-10 draft decide, was traded from the Gold Coast Suns to the Blues on October 18.
He’ll be a part of his youthful brother Oliver on the crew.
Hollands’ lawyer Darren Mahoney stated Hollands’ mom was unwell on the time, which could have influenced his client’s considering on the time.
“Typically a younger man with in any other case exemplary character, a great household and a vivid future does one thing silly,” Mr Mahoney informed the court.
“The sensible actuality is he’ll endure past what this court imposes – locally … that’s inevitable.”
In a reference tendered to the court, Suns chief govt Mark Evans spoke extremely of Hollands’ excessive work ethic and skill to simply make dialog with others.
“(They’re) traits which have been of nice help when coping with members of the group when taking part in class applications, helping at Auskick clinics and native junior soccer coaching classes, visiting children in hospital and representing the membership at company capabilities,” he stated.
“Elijah has proven a excessive work ethic and dedication along with his coaching and match preparation and has good prospects as an elite athlete.
“With continued work and enchancment, he has the potential to take care of his athletic profession over the subsequent decade.”
Ben Hollands – Elijah’s father – revealed his mom had been battling a big sickness that had develop into terminal in current months.
In a letter to the court he stated his son had proven “unbelievable energy and fortitude”.
“He was ashamed of his selection and the reputational affect on our household, a household nicely revered for generations locally for its sturdy ethical values,” Mr Hollands wrote in his reference.
“He was additionally afraid of the private affect, realizing it might imply a diminished notion of his personal character, a real menace to his profession and important monetary implications.”
Hollands’ supervisor, David Trotter, additionally wrote a reference expressing his exhausting work and expertise as a footballer.
He stated the general public scrutiny of the incident had created a “heavy burden” for Hollands, coupled along with his moms’ well being battle and his need to assist his youthful brothers.
“The very fact he and Ollie will now be taking part in on the identical membership will probably be nice for each of them. They are going to little question lean on one another and supply one another with a degree of nice assist,” Mr Trotter stated.
Mr Trotter stated Hollands had by no means tried to complain or shift the blame, as a substitute taking full accountability for his actions.
“I’ve full confidence that Elijah will do the exhausting work required each personally, and professionally to make sure he has a profitable AFL profession and I couldn’t be prouder of the best way he has performed himself since this incident has occurred,” he stated.
Justice of the Peace Mark Bamberry stated it gave the impression to be a “second of weak point” for the younger man however stated he was in any other case a great candidate for the drug diversion program.
Hollands was positioned on a two-month recognisance order with no conviction recorded.
He was additionally ordered to attend a drug evaluation and schooling session subsequent month.
Earlier this month the Suns confirmed the AFL’s Integrity Unit had launched their very own investigation into Hollands’ conduct when he was first charged.
“All gamers obtain in depth schooling on the AFL’s Illicit drugs Coverage and are totally conscious of the behaviours and requirements anticipated of them as AFL gamers,” the membership stated in an announcement.
Carlton themselves additionally confirmed they had been made conscious of Hollands’ pending court expenses.
“An knowledgeable resolution was then made to proceed with the recruitment and the Membership will now present the mandatory assist to Hollands,” a Carlton spokesman stated on October 19.
“He’ll start pre-season coaching upon its scheduled resumption in November.
Earlier this month, Blues listing supervisor Nick Austin stated he was eager to recruit Hollands after the membership misplaced midfielder Paddy Dow.
Mr Dow had requested a commerce to St Kilda.
“Elijah is a contracted participant and Gold Coast has received a bit to work by means of, they’ve received a brand new coach, these kind of issues,” Mr Austin stated.
