Elijah Hollands and Wade Derksen Offered Final Two List Spots - Two Very Different Journeys, One Opportunity
Written by Terry Dehghani
The Carlton Football Club have officially offered their final two list spots to Elijah Hollands and Wade Derksen, and while the headline might read like routine list management, the stories behind these two decisions couldn’t be more compelling.
One is about redemption and second chances.
The other is about persistence and proving you belong.
Both are about opportunity.
And both say something about where this football club is heading.
For Elijah Hollands, talent has never been the question.
A former top-10 draft pick, Hollands arrived in the AFL system with elite junior credentials. Strong overhead, composed with ball in hand, and possessing that natural class that can’t be taught.
But his journey hasn’t been linear.
After beginning his career with the Gold Coast Suns, Hollands showed glimpses of why he was so highly rated. Yet injuries, consistency challenges, and off-field setbacks meant his career stalled at the worst possible time.
Being delisted is brutal. It’s not just about football - it’s identity, stability, and confidence.
Carlton offering Hollands a list spot isn’t just about depth. It’s a belief statement.
It suggests:
The club sees upside still untapped.
They believe the environment can stabilise him.
They think he can contribute in 2026.
Also at his best? He offers midfield-forward flexibility, clean skills, and a touch of composure in traffic - something Carlton have lacked at times when the pressure lifts in games.
This isn’t a sentimental selection.
It’s a calculated upside play.
If Hollands represents redemption, Wade Derksen represents perseverance.
Derksen’s pathway hasn’t been through hype or draft-night cameras.
It’s been earned the hard way.
From state leagues to development systems, Derksen has built his opportunity through performance, resilience, and the willingness to grind.
At training and in match simulation, he’s shown:
Strong aerial presence
Competitive intent
Composure under pressure
The ability to hold his own in contests
Carlton’s defensive and key-position depth has been tested in this pre-season. Adding a mature-bodied, competitive option gives the coaches flexibility.
Derksen may not come with the fanfare of a high draft pick.
But sometimes, the most reliable role players are the ones who have had to fight for everything.
What This Says About Carlton
These two selections reveal something about Carlton’s current list philosophy.
This isn’t about chasing headlines.
It’s about:
Upside with structure
Competition for spots
Internal pressure
Rewarding work ethic
One player with high-end natural ability looking to re-establish himself.
One player who has clawed his way to an opportunity.
Both now enter an environment that demands standards.
And that’s the key.
The Blues aren’t handing out charity list spots. These are bets, calculated ones, on character and development.
The Bigger Picture
Every club’s final list spots tell a story.
Sometimes they’re placeholders.
Sometimes they’re depth.
Sometimes they become something much bigger.
If Hollands can rediscover the freedom in his game and Derksen continues building on his physical presence and discipline, Carlton may have quietly strengthened areas that were tested last year.
Nothing is guaranteed.
But opportunity matters.
And now, it’s theirs.
Go Blues.
