THE MURRAY Bushrangers may have been eliminated in Wildcard Round, but that didn’t stop star midfielder Oliver Hollands from showcasing some of his best form. The top-ager racked up a team-high 27 disposals and six clearances as the Bushies went down to Sandringham, doing so against one of the competition’s most fearsome on-ball groups.

Hollands is the brother of Gold Coast Suns rising star Elijah, but is more of a pure midfielder than his versatile sibling. Both brothers have a strong endurance base, and Oliver uses it to find a balance between his inside and outside traits. We put his latest performance under the Player Focus microscope, before he suits up for Vic Country for the last time in September.

Midfielder

Oliver Hollands

Height: 183cm

Weight: 71kg

DOB: 16-01-2004

Strengths:

Accumulation

Competitiveness

Defensive pressure

Endurance

Work rate

Inside-outside balance

Improvements:

Kicking

Strength

Draft range: Top 20

SEASON SO FAR:

NAB League averages: 5 games | 23.8 disposals | 12.0 kicks | 11.8 handballs | 4.0 marks | 6.0 tackles | 5.8 inside 50s | 2.2 rebound 50s

Hollands has been among the best players in each side he has turned out for this year. He played three strong quarters in Round 1 of the NAB League before being struck down by injury, eventually returning in Round 4 for a haul of 26 disposals. He then underwent his school football commitments with Geelong Grammar, a side which unfortunately only notched one win this season. Hollands carried strong form there into the National Championships, before rounding out his NAB League campaign with two games of 27 touches. While midfield has been his base, Hollands has also plied his trade on the wing and off half-back across a consistent campaign.

NAB League Wildcard Round
Sandringham Dragons 11.11 (77) def. Murray Bushrangers 10.7 (67)

#5 Oliver Hollands (Murray Bushrangers)
Stats: 27 disposals (14 kicks, 13 handballs), 4 marks, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

FIRST QUARTER

Hollands’ running capacity was evident from the outset, as he racked up close to double-digit disposals across the first 25 minutes. The opening stages were his strongest, as he looked instinctive at stoppage but also spread better than anyone else.

Though he ended up with more kicks for the term, Hollands looked arguably slicker by hand and found a nice balance between releasing teammates, or getting on the end of handball receives himself.

With a bit more polish, Hollands could have snared the first goal of the game, but saw his wobbly punt punched over the goal line. He was not afraid to use both feet and was effective enough on his non-preferred left foot, especially with many of his touches coming at full tilt.

SECOND QUARTER

After attending all five centre bounces in the first quarter, Hollands missed two in the second term with the timing of his rotations to the bench. Although he was a relative constant, Hollands had little inside impact, faring better around the ground or as the secondary possession outlet.

Hollands still managed to win a clearance from a defensive 50 ball-up, booting off a couple of steps after roving the tap. He accumulated most of his six touches from handball receives though, and was able to give off as quickly as he got the ball. Again, his work rate and slick hands were the highlights of his game.

THIRD QUARTER

Fresh off the half-time break, Hollands occupied Will Ashcroft at the opening centre bounce and spent plenty of time on ground. He had a busy first five minutes which set the tone for his term, remaining relevant going both ways.

While an overzealous rundown tackle on Ashcroft result in a free kick to Sandringham, Hollands’ defensive pressure and hunt for the ball were solid. He showcased a good amount of poise in tight spots, drawing before releasing and hitting targets by hand through traffic.

He continued to deliver kicks off either foot but really shone by hand, roving a couple of stoppage taps and reacting quickly when he scooped up ground balls. As always, he dug deep for repeat efforts to run out the term strongly on-ball.

FOURTH QUARTER

The fourth was arguably Hollands’ least prolific, though he maintained his status as a full-time midfielder for much of it. After attending six of seven centre bounces, Hollands ended the day up forward where he rotated after 17 minutes.

Before the shift, he bit off a risky corridor kick and floated a pass inside 50; undoing some of his nice work, particularly the front-and-centre crumb to earn his second kick of the two. Though not prominent at the coalface, he managed to win the contested ball at one centre bounce, opting to release by hand.

Overall, Hollands’ status as Murray’s top disposal getter on the ground was more so a result of his running capacity, rather than pure ball winning prowess. He was consistently in ideal spots to either crumb, mop up ground balls, or receive a hand-off.

In possession, Hollands remained composed and efficient when handballing, but lacked the same polish as he looked to drive kicks forward either under pressure, or when running at full tilt. He could serve better as a wingman or running flanker with his traits, until he adds the strength to match his intensity at stoppage.