Past Ben Holland (1995)

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Pick 19 in the 1994 AFL Draft

 

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Footyinfo

Full name: Ben Holland
Born: May 10, 1977
Teams: Richmond 1996-2003, Melbourne 2004-08
Height: 197cm
Weight: 97kg
Debut: Brisbane Bears vs Richmond Round 3, Gabba, 13 April 1996

Wikipedia

Ben Holland (born 10 May 1977) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. A South Australian, Holland was drafted in 1994 to the Fitzroy Football Club, but chose to stay and develop in the SANFL with his local club Nth Adelaide for a year. He was subsequently traded at the end of the 1995 season playing his first AFL game for the Richmond Football Club in 1996. At the Richmond Football Club, where he was used as a key forward and later back, and had a stellar 2001 season holding down centre half back while the tigers finished 3rd.

In 2004 he was traded to the Demons, where Holland blossomed again up forward alongside David Neitz and then at full back where he held many of the competitions best forwards goal less. He wears guernsey number 4 and is best known for being a tall and strong utility player. His physical strength has seen him also play in key backline positions, a rare feat to be able to play both ends of the field during over 200 senior AFL games and kicking 180 goals. On 31 August 2008 he played his last AFL game and subsequently retired from football

Statistics:

afl tables
footywire
final siren
all the stats

 

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Demonwiki

Though used mostly as a forward he also spent some time in defence with the Tigers, most notably in the 2001 season when Richmond made a rare finals appearance. With his stocks at an all time high he was offered a significant contract to return to Adelaide and initially decided on the move before changing his mind and staying at Punt Road. The next year he was forced to undergo a knee reconstruction.

It later emerged that he had allegedly been promised inducements to stay at Richmond that hadn't been paid, and Holland took civil action against former Tigers president Clinton Casey. Traded to the Demons for selection 21 in the 2003 Draft (Alex Gilmour), it was initially expected that he would play as a defender.

Much maligned as a forward, competing for space with Neitz and Robertson, Holland finally made it to the backline in his later years - most notably beating Anthony Rocca during the upset Queen's Birthday win in Round 11, 2007. Rocca got some measure of revenge later in the season when he fell heavily on Holland in the Round 20 rematch and broke the big man's collarbone.

 

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1995 trade details

fitzroy lions gain draft selection 16 (scott clayton) and draft selection 32 (nigel credlin)
from richmond for ben holland

 

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Holland's forward move a Dutch treat
By Len Johnson
July 31 2003

Holland's six goals was a career best, a fitting culmination of a successful return from a knee reconstruction after his previous visit to Subiaco Oval in round four last year. The Tigers return to Subiaco this week to play Fremantle in another of those games that could shape the eight. Holland said he held no particular fears about playing there again.
"I haven't really thought about it," he said, adding that his confidence was high after five AFL games on top of four in the VFL.
"You need those first couple of weeks to get up with the pace of the game. (They're) a huge stepping stone; then you worry about form and getting a kick."
Holland said he had enjoyed the experience of playing as the Tigers' only tall target inside 50 metres.
"It's a luxury Danny (Frawley) has got that I can play both ends of the ground."

 

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2004 trade details

Holland's move to Melbourne was finalised, with Richmond receiving pick 20 in exchange, but the Tigers will continue to pay a large slice of the player's salary.

Link

Ben Holland (Richmond) to Melbourne for second-round pick (20). Holland, who had a year on his contract remaining at Richmond, has been given a two year deal by the Demons. However it is believed the Tigers will have to pay up to half of Holland’s estimated existing contract of around $400,000 a year at Melbourne next year under an agreement reached between the two clubs.

Link

Ben Holland (Richmond). Versatile big bloke, enjoyed outstanding 2001 season as a CHB before snapping ligaments at Knee Graveyard (i.e. Subiaco) early 2002. Mildly disappointing comeback last season combined with hefty contract prompted the Tiges to off-load him. Could be a useful key backman for the Dees if he gets fit, can also play at CHF and do a bit of rucking.

 

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Holland - Melbourne’s new everywhere man
Tim Coleman
12:00 AM Thu 06 Jul, 2006

When Ben Holland was traded to Melbourne at the end of 2003, many saw it as a chance for him to kick-start his career as a big forward in the AFL. Having played only 13 games and kicked 11 goals in his final two years at Richmond, his arrival at Junction Oval signified a fresh start for Holland. However, things have not gone exactly as Holland would have planned, with coach Neale Daniher trying Holland as a back man, as well as in his traditional role as a forward. But the move couldn’t have been better for Holland. In recent weeks he has been given key roles against Fraser Gehrig and Anthony Rocca, with both players lowering their colours to Holland. On Saturday, Holland played both in the forward line and in defence against Fremantle to help Melbourne to their ninth win of the season.

 

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Holland sues Tigers for $530K
By Sam Edmund
Herald Sun
April 04, 2008 12:00AM

FORMER Richmond player Ben Holland is suing the Tigers and former president Clinton Casey for more than half a million dollars for what he claims are unpaid benefits.

Holland, now playing at Melbourne, has issued a Supreme Court writ in which he claims he was promised a range of business and investment opportunities he never received. He is seeking $530,000 for loss and damages.

The defender and qualified podiatrist said the offer, made in late 2001, was designed to cover the difference between an $800,000 three-year deal to re-sign with Richmond and a $1.33 million three-year rival offer from Adelaide.

Link

When Holland told Richmond on the eve of the 2001 trade period that he had accepted a $1.33 million offer to play for Adelaide for the next three years, such was coach Danny Frawley's volcanic reaction that Holland's manager, Greg Griffin, feared for his life.

Richmond could pay Holland no more than $800,000 over the same period, due to salary-cap restraints, but Frawley and Casey, in a desperate bid to keep him, made one last pitch during a dinner with Holland and his father, John, at a Japanese restaurant.

The promises in question are documented in copious notes taken by the Holland family but not confirmed in writing by the club. They include an opportunity to buy land and shares. Holland further his podiatry business at aged care facilities operated by Casey. Casey would advise Holland's business interests and investments.

AFL to investigate Holland claims
Herald Sun
April 03, 2008 11:30PM

Demetriou said he had been aware of the alleged deal since he met with Richmond and Holland in 2002 but thought it had been resolved.

"The issue back then was that he was being offered allegedly $1.3 million from Adelaide, so we have to ascertain whether that's true.

"And then he was offered a significantly less amount from Richmond and he decided to stay at Richmond."

Demetriou said he had then met with Holland and Richmond to discuss how Holland could be paid.

"The issue back then was, was there a way that, under the rules of the salary cap, whether Richmond Football Club could pay him any more - and the answer was no.

"That was the rules and that was the AFL's position as it would (be) for any player."

 

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Ben Holland declared fit, but reluctant to play

• by: Mark Stevens
• From: Herald Sun
• July 17, 2008 12:00AM

BEN Holland has not appeared on Melbourne's injury list for several weeks, but he isn't playing either. It is becoming increasingly obvious the veteran has played his last AFL game. Holland dislocated his shoulder against Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 9 - his only senior outing of the year. Specialists advised against surgery and Holland was named as an emergency for the next game against St Kilda.

But Holland did not play and has not had a hitout since. Each week, the 31-year-old has been declared fit to play by club medicos, hence his absence from any official lists. But Holland, who continues to train with the club, is taking a cautious approach and has so far resisted a return through the VFL.

 

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Demon Holland hangs up boots
11:50 AM Sat 30 Aug, 2008

MELBOURNE'S Ben Holland has announced his retirement from AFL football. Sunday's match against his old team will be his 191st AFL game.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at both Melbourne and Richmond," Holland said on Saturday.

"I have given everything I have got to the team every time I competed. I love playing football, I love being involved in football, and I love the team camaraderie.

"After Sunday's game, I will look forward to the next chapter of my life."

Ben Holland thanks Melbourne for the journey

• by: Jackie Epstein
• August 30, 2008 10:00PM

BEN Holland borrows a phrase from former federal treasurer Peter Costello to describe the feelings ahead of his final match today.
"It's not a funeral, it's not a resurrection, it's a thank you," he said.
The Demon and former Tiger was told Friday he would be included in the team alongside Jeff White and Adem Yze so the trio could bid farewell at the MCG this afternoon.
"I was still in good form with Sandringham (in the VFL), but I was still battling even to my last game to get a game," Holland said.
"It would have been nice to play 300 games, but you battle on and I feel I got the most out of myself and competed all the time.
"I wasn't the best player running around, but I gave my all for the team and was a good clubman."

 

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Link ....

Holland was allegedly injured after a tussle broke out when he tried to help teammate Nathan Carroll into a taxi.The alleged incident outside St Kilda's Barkly Hotel early yesterday followed a long drinking session known as Mad Monday to mark the end of the footy season.
It is believed Holland needed medical treatment.
Melbourne Football Club is investigating the incident.

 

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10 May 2009

FORMER Richmond and Melbourne forward Ben Holland made an eye-popping entrance into the MPNFL on Saturday, two days after being registered to play with Bonbeach. On the eve of his 32nd birthday, Holland kicked six goals from full-forward to lead Bonbeach to its first win of the season - a gritty 30-point win over Chelsea at Cannes Ave.

 

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13 December 2010

BORONIA will go into the 2011 Eastern Football League season with lofty expectations after a recruiting spree landed several talented catches. The biggest recruit of the bunch figuratively and literally is ex-AFL big man Ben Holland. The 33-year-old former-Richmond and Melbourne player joins the Hawks from Division 1 club Balwyn and will prove a handful for Division 3 defenders.
Holland said it was an opportunity to repay a favour to Bennett.
"Peter Bennett was my mentor in North Adelaide (SANFL). He was the senior centre half-forward and I was the junior coming up through the ranks," he said.
"I don't want Balwyn to think it's anything against them. They're a great club, and it's certainly not a money issue.
"The level of footy was great at Balwyn, but they're building a culture where everyone is accountable.
"I was finding it hard with work commitments to get to every session.
"It was hard for them to tell everyone to do one thing, when I'm doing another."

 

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Ben Holland Podiatrist

Ben Holland has been a podiatrist for the past 12 years and worked in private practice since graduating from LaTrobe University in 1998. Ben has developed a passion for lower limb sports injury treatment and injury prevention. He has recently retired as an AFL footballer for the Melbourne and Richmond football clubs and counts these years as invaluable in learning about the latest in medical advances, treatments and training techniques for all athletes and sport participants. He has a particular interest in all football codes, tennis, cricket and recreational running.