The AFL has finalised its inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Carlton player Elijah Hollands' participation in the Round 6 match against Collingwood at the MCG.

Following a review of Carlton's initial report and subsequent follow-up inquiries, the AFL found there were sufficient visual cues, performance data during the match, and knowledge of the player's individual circumstances to indicate that Elijah should have been removed from play earlier than the 20-minute mark of the final quarter.

The AFL further determined that the delay in removing the player from the field had such outcomes that consequently a reasonable person would regard that as bringing the game into disrepute.

These findings are made against the Carlton Football Club collectively, and not against any individual.

As a result of this finding that Carlton brought the game into disrepute, the Club has been found to have breached AFL Rule 2.3(a) and has been sanctioned $75,000, with the full amount to be donated to the AFL’s mental health partner, headspace. The donation will support the implementation of community youth mental health initiatives.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon said the events of that night were unprecedented.

"What transpired that night was something our game hasn’t seen before," Dillon said.

"While Elijah underwent checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time.

"We want to acknowledge Elijah and his family - our focus continues to be on Elijah's wellbeing and ensuring he continues to receive the best possible care and support.

"This incident has highlighted that, while our physical injury protocols are well understood, mental health presentations are variable and complex, and therefore we will work to strengthen and standardise our approach to match day management of acute mental health episodes."

In light of these circumstances, and to strengthen the match day environment in responding to mental health concerns, the AFL will work in partnership with clubs to improve industry-wide healthcare standards through the following actions:

• Mandate Clubs appoint a full-time psychologist within each of the AFL and AFLW programs, with industry consultation on related resourcing and policy requirements to commence immediately
• Review the club football department soft cap, with a view to, amongst other things, increasing minimum investment in healthcare and strengthening expert capability
• Establish industry-wide 'psychological fitness to play' best practice guidance, developed in consultation with club healthcare teams
• Mandate expanded mental health literacy training across football departments
• Establish an AFL health and wellbeing committee to advise the Executive and Commission on clinical governance and implement an industry-wide healthcare incident management system
• Host a mental health media roundtable in partnership with the Black Dog Institute in the lead-up to Spud's Game

"This has to be about care, clarity and action, 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."

As part of the AFL Industry Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the League has also implemented the following initiatives at the elite level for AFL clubs:

• AFL/W Player Mental Healthcare Roadmap – a stepped care model delivering early, timely, and coordinated support to players, while also providing a safety net through crisis support
• AFL funded industry-first 24/7 helpline – PLAY ON in partnership with Converge
• Dedicated soft cap concessions for clubs – including all mental health spend as non-assessable under the AFL soft cap policy
• AFL funded centralised player mental health referral network and inpatient services, so every player has access to specialist mental healthcare. 
• Industry Social, Emotional, Cultural Wellbeing (SECWB) Framework by and for First Nations peoples to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ wellbeing
• AFL funded Indigenous psychologists’ network for culturally informed mental healthcare for First Nation’s players, in partnership with AIPA.
• AFL funded dedicated culturally affirming care for Talent and Diversity Academy Players
• AFL funded dedicated wellbeing program delivered throughout talent pathways to build resilience and protective factors before entering the system
• Mental health screening of all talent pathways players at draft
• All AFL/W and Club staff, coaches and umpires have access to proactive holistic 24/7 mental health support

As part of the AFL Industry Mental Fitness Charter, the League has grown the following initiatives in community:

• Implemented the Movember Ahead of the Game program – an evidence based mental health literacy and resilience program to 40,000 young people, parents, coaches and volunteers in the last three years – the largest in sport globally
• All football communities are supported by community suicide post-vention guidelines and nationally coordinated critical incident protocols in times of need