The AFL has handed Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands a two-week suspension for “conduct unbecoming” after the wingman pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine last month.
Hollands, 21, was caught with cocaine at The Star casino on the Gold Coast in September after finishing his season with the Suns.
Carlton confirmed he was charged with possession of cocaine the day after he was traded from Gold Coast to join his younger brother, Ollie, at Ikon Park.
The Blues said they had been made aware of the charge before committing to the deal with the Suns, before Hollands faced court 12 days later on October 31.
No conviction was recorded, with Hollands placed on a two-month good behaviour bond and ordered to complete a drug diversion course.
The two-week ban handed to Hollands by the AFL is consistent with previous suspensions issued to Adelaide’s Brad Crouch (now at St Kilda), the Western Bulldogs’ Bailey Smith and Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan (now at Hawthorn) in recent years after incidents involving illicit drugs.
He will miss the Blues’ “Opening Round” and round 1 games and will be unable to play VFL practice matches on those weekends.
Hollands was also handed a strike under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, which comes with a suspended $5000 fine.
AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said players needed to be role models for the community.
“AFL Players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their careers to uphold community expectations,” Meade said.
An AFL spokesman said the league now considered the matter to be finalised.
