Carlton will welcome Elijah Hollands back to club's AFL program this week but youngster Harry O'Farrell has received the devastating confirmation of an ACL tear.
O'Farrell ruptured the ACL in his left knee after landing awkwardly from a marking contest in Sunday's 27-point loss to Fremantle.
The No.40 pick from last year's national draft had made huge progress at the Blues this season, and coach Michael Voss said he was shattered to see the 19-year-old cut down in just his sixth game.
The injury came just minutes after O'Farrell had kicked his maiden AFL goal.
Harry O'Farrell's first AFL goal 🥹#AFLFreoBlues pic.twitter.com/S4qAPbGSZW
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 3, 2025
"The highs and lows of football, it's got a great way of being able to lift you up, and it's got a very nasty way of being able to bring you down as well," Voss said.
Carlton have vowed to support O'Farrell through his recovery.
"Yesterday Harry experienced the fantastic highs and the devastating lows of our game in the space of only a few minutes - we are all feeling for him today," Carlton football manager Brad Lloyd said.
"To step onto the big stage with confidence and a maturity beyond his years, he has all the qualities to be a quality player for our football club for a long time to come.
"Harry really impressed everyone as soon as he walked through the doors at IKON Park, he has an outstanding drive to get the absolute best out of himself."
Harry O'Farrell has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLFreoBlues pic.twitter.com/MIWRuFJy0m
— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2025
Hollands took leave in March for a personal matter, then returned for a block of five matches before taking another period of indefinite leave in May.
The 23-year-old former Sun will return to the AFL program this week with the view of playing in the VFL.
"He'll come back into the club this week," Voss said.
"He's been hovering around the VFL, doing a bit of that. He'll be back this week and playing VFL football this week."
When asked if Hollands could make it back to AFL level before the season ended, Voss replied: "Possibly, but we've only got three games left.
"He'll come back and play some VFL football. He's been training pretty hard, so he'll be ready to go."
Carlton (7-13) will be back in action on action on Saturday night against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, before rounding out their season with matches against Port Adelaide (home) and Essendon.
