Carlton fined $75,000 for mishandling of Elijah Hollands’ mental health episode
The AFL has fined Carlton $75,000 for not removing Elijah Hollands from the field while he was experiencing a mental health episode during round six against Collingwood.Hollands appeared to be acting erratically during the match at the MCG, and was admitted to hospital for treatment several days later.The AFL found Carlton should have removed Hollands from the game earlier based on visual cues, performance data and the player’s previously disclosed mental health challenges, and that the club’s failure to do so brought the game into disrepute.The AFL’s chief executive, Andrew Dillon, said the “substantial sanction” was made against the club “collectively” rather than singling out any individuals.“What transpired during the game was something we haven’t seen before and while Elijah did undergo checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time,” Dillon said, adding that the incident had highlighted areas of improvement for the code.
“Whilst our physical injury protocols are strong and well understood, mental health presentations can be variable and are complex,”In a statement, Carlton acknowledged the AFL’s finding that Hollands should have been removed from the field “sooner than the 20-minute mark of the final quarter” and the resulting fine, but did not admit fault,The club said “it supports its people, who are highly-respected professionals with the utmost integrity, and operate with genuine care for all players and staff who represent the football club”,“We accept the outcome in the interest of enabling all parties to move forward, while continuing to ensure the health and wellbeing of our people remains a priority,” Carlton chief executive, Graham Wright, said in the statement,The club cited the ongoing WorkSafe investigation and Hollands’ privacy as reasons for not providing more information about the incident.
As a result of the inquiry, the AFL is implementing several measures to better equip the sport and its clubs to support the mental health of participants,Clubs have typically employed psychologists on a part-time basis, but they will now be required to employ a full-time psychologist,A new wellbeing governance committee is being established, alongside new standards and guidelines, expanded mental health literacy and a review of football soft cap policies,“There are lessons in this for all of us,” the AFL’s head of health and football, Laura Kane, said,“The main one is that our duty of care must continue to evolve, and that must include mental health and wellbeing.
”Kane said Hollands had contributed to the AFL’s review,“I won’t speak to the specifics of the how Elijah’s doing, but I will say that we’re really grateful for his contribution and that of his family to this inquiry,” she said,Although Blues coach Michael Voss defended his staff following the incident and accused the media of bullying, Carlton has accepted the fine,It will be paid to youth mental health service provider Headspace,In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978.
In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111.In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Man charged over bomb hoax after Peter Kay show evacuated
A man has been charged over a bomb hoax after a live show by comedian Peter Kay in Birmingham was stopped when a “potentially suspicious bag” was found around the venue.The Utilita Arena Birmingham was evacuated and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody, West Midlands police said on Friday evening.On Saturday, the force said: “A man has been charged in connection with the events which led to the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham last night.“Omar Majed, 19, has been charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax,” a police spokesperson said. “Majed, of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been remanded to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on 4 May
Guy Montgomery: ‘One fan took us back to his house and showed us all his guns’
Have you ever won a spelling bee?No! I don’t think I’ve entered any formalised spelling competition. When I was eight or nine, there was a guy who I used to copy during tests. We were doing a spelling test and the word was “vehicle” and he made an absolutely terrible attempt at it. I knew he’d spelled it wrong and was like, wait – have I been copying someone who’s more stupid than me this whole time?Which word do you hate the most?None! That’s crazy! I love all words. They’re just out there, doing their best
‘We have to mock the site’s insanity’: comedian Tim Heidecker on the allure of becoming Infowars’ new boss
If you’ve tuned in to Infowars over the years, you might have heard a very angry man screaming about the 2020 election being stolen for “reanimated corpse” Joe Biden, or chemicals in the water turning frogs gay, or the Sandy Hook school shooting, which killed 20 children and six staff members, being faked. Founded in 1999, Alex Jones’s Infowars has long been a platform for toxic conspiracy theories with real-life consequences, in addition to weird dietary supplements. But if the Onion has its way, the InfoWars of the future will have a very different impact.The satirical newspaper has been working for several years to take over the site, amid legal battles over Jones’s false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. Pending a Texas court’s approval, the platform could soon be in the hands of the Onion and a newly installed creative director, comedian Tim Heidecker, known for his surreal sketches and mockery of the far right
Prince’s death made me upend my life and move to his home town
The star’s potent sexuality made him my ‘secret friend’ but, with my career in the arts stalling, his death led me to the life-changing decision to move to Minneapolis and maintain his legacyI distinctly remember the first time I heard Prince. I was a dreamy, artistic child growing up in 80s rural Australia, feeling completely out of place. One day, I turned towards the cassette radio in my bedroom, hearing something totally different to the rock music I had grown up with – something electric and alive. It was Prince. My body moved
Peter Kay show stopped and 19-year-old in custody after ‘suspicious bag’ found
A live show by comedian Peter Kay in Birmingham has been stopped after a “potential suspicious bag” was found around the venue.The Utilita Arena Birmingham was evacuated and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody, West Midlands police said on Friday evening.The force said: “We are assisting with an evacuation at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham after a potential suspicious bag was found.“A 19-year-old man is in custody and as a precaution the site is currently subject of a search. We will provide further updates when we can
Jimmy Kimmel: ‘Trump has three wars going on right now – Iranians, Ukrainians and comedians’
Late-night hosts reacted to yet another call by Donald Trump for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired, more US floundering in Iran and the supreme court effectively dismantling the Voting Rights Act.Jimmy Kimmel woke up on Thursday morning to, somehow, yet another call from the president for his show to be cancelled. As Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT”“Or what?” Kimmel laughed on Thursday evening. “If incompetently presiding over not just one of but the lowest rating in history is the reason I should be fired, we should both be out of a job
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