Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands facing drugs charges – on same day Melbourne’s Joel Smith was suspended after testing positive for cocaine

New Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands will appear in court on drug charges – in the second drugs scandal to rock the AFL in 24 hours.

Hollands, 21, joined the Blues from Gold Coast on deadline day on Wednesday.

The club was already aware of his upcoming appearance in court for alleged possession of illegal substances and he will start training with the rest of the squad at Carlton in November.

New Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands will appear in court on drug charges

“The club was informed last month by Hollands, who was a Gold Coast Suns player at the time, given the existing interest in bringing him to the football club,” Carlton said in a statement.

‘A well-considered decision was then made to continue with the recruitment and the club will now provide the necessary support to Hollands.

‘He will start preparing for the season after the planned resumption in November.

“As the matter is currently before the courts, the club would have no further comment at this time.”

Gold Coast also released a statement saying the charge related to a “small quantity of an illegal substance.”

“All players receive comprehensive education on the AFL’s illegal drug policy and are fully aware of the conduct and standards expected of them as AFL players,” the club said.

“The AFL Integrity Unit has been notified and is conducting its own investigation.”

It comes on the same day Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith was provisionally suspended by the AFL after testing positive for cocaine.

Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended by the AFL after testing positive for a banned substance, suspected to be cocaine

The league confirmed they are “working with” Smith on the matter, with the ban taking effect immediately.

The AFL said a urine sample taken from Smith after the Round 23 game against Hawthorn at the MCG returned a positive test for cocaine.

Smith, 27 – who featured in Melbourne’s two losing finals – is aware of the result after being notified by Sports Integrity Australia.

The maximum penalty for a competitive test is a four-year suspension.

But if Smith can prove the breach was unintentional, he will only be sidelined for a month.

Smith, 27, was tested on August 20 after the Demons defeated Hawthorn at the MCG

Smith scored three goals in Melbourne’s semi-final defeat to Carlton and became a father for the first time in September

“It is alleged that a sample provided by Smith during an in-match doping control test on August 20, 2023 produced an AAF due to the presence of cocaine and the metabolite benzoylecgonine, a prohibited substance under the code,” the AFL said in a statement.

‘Smith was tested after the Melbourne v Hawthorn round 23 match on Sunday 20 August 2023 and was informed of the finding by Sport Integrity Australia last week.

“The AFL was informed of the test results at the same time.

“The matter is now progressing in accordance with the code, initially involving further investigation by Sport Integrity Australia, supported by the AFL.

“In the meantime, Smith will not be part of the Melbourne football program.”

Smith made his way into the Demons side in round 12 against Carlton and then played in every match for the rest of the season.

He scored three goals in Melbourne’s semi-final defeat to Carlton and became a father for the first time in September.