Collingwood Forever

A dangerous small forward in his early years, the Taswegian morphed into one of the competition’s best taggers during his heyday and became one of Mick Malthouse’s most reliable lieutenants when the Magpies tumbled down the ladder during the mid-2000s.

Holland was originally drafted to Fremantle midway through the 1997 National Draft, crossing the country to commence his league career.

He debuted less than twelve months later and was used as a rover during his first season, impressing to the point where then-Dockers coach Gerard Neesham was moved to compare Holland to St Kilda champion Robert Harvey.

Unfortunately for Fremantle, Holland’s career stalled in the years that followed and by the end of 2000 he was shipped off to Collingwood along with James Clement in a convoluted deal that saw Paul Williams become a Swan.

Holland was among a batch of experienced bodies recruited by Mick Malthouse to bolster his baby Magpies ahead of the 2001 season, and made an immediate impression, with his goal kicking nous ensuring he held his place in the side for most of the year.

Dermott Brereton, then working for Channel Seven, observed Holland would often star early in a match, fade out of the contest during the middle two quarters and then hit back in the final quarter.

His finest hour on a football field arrived early the following year, when Holland kicked eight goals against West Coast to single-handedly carry Collingwood across the line by a solitary point in round two, 2002.

But as the season wore on, Holland’s impact lessened and youngsters such as Alan Didak and Leon Davis took over his role in the forward pocket, leaving Holland on the bench or in the blue and gold of Williamstown, the club’s then-VFL affiliate.

Holland was not used during any of his side’s three finals (he was named as an emergency for the Grand Final loss to Brisbane) and he entered his third season on the list with his future at the crossroads.

After a terrible start to 2003, where he recorded just one kick and was suspended for a fortnight for striking Richmond’s Greg Stafford, Holland fought back and by the halfway mark of the season had established himself as Collingwood’s premier tagger.

But the rush to the finals wasn’t all plain sailing. After a firing encounter with Carlton’s Scott Camporearle in round 17, Holland was suspended for two weeks following a behind the play incident involving Paul Williams against Sydney in round 21.

One of Channel 10’s off-the-ball cameras captured Holland and Williams grappling more than 50 metres off the ball, though some observers believed the Magpie was fortunate to escape with just a two week penalty.

He was an automatic inclusion for the Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide, replacing the omitted Andrew Williams, and made good on his coach’s faith, kicking two goals as his side motored into its second straight Grand Final.

On a dirty day for many who wore the Black and White jumper, Holland was not disgraced, fighting the match out even when the result was well and truly beyond doubt.

By 2004, Holland had established himself as one of Collingwood’s most valuable and trusted players. He ran fifth in the best and fairest, missing four weeks after kicking Carlton’s Camporearle in round seven.

Holland finished runner-up in the Copeland Trophy twelve months later, playing all 22 –games and adding a ball winning string to his bow, reminiscent of his early days at Fremantle.

At season’s end, Holland was a celebrity contestant on Channel Seven’s Dancing With The Stars.

His profile grew during his foray into reality television, but it wasn’t all fun and games – he would have to learn and perform four dances ahead of schedule, for Collingwood’s first pre-season training camp in Arizona clashed with the final rounds of the competition.

On-field, Holland’s form continued as his teammates and coaches had come to expect in the early rounds of 2006 before he damaged his Achillies against Brisbane in round 10.

It took him six weeks to recover, but he made an immediate impact upon his return against the Eagles round 16.

His season ended on a sour note when he received a six-week suspension for a front-on bump that sent Western Bulldog Brett Montgomery flying during the opening seconds of the Elimination Final. Holland later argued he had come in off the line of the centre square to help protect his teammates.

The suspension meant Holland made a delayed start to 2007, and although he performed strongly against Melbourne on the Queen’s Birthday, injuries and a lack of match fitness told against him as he missed out on a finals berth at the pointy end of the season.

Holland’s career came to a close in 2008 when injuries restricted him to just one senior game (against North Melbourne in round five). His troublesome Achillies hadn’t settled, while a broken wrist in the dying stages of a loss to Werribee in the VFL brought the curtain down on the career of one of the Collingwood faithful’s favourites.

In the years that followed, Holland went on to become a playing-coach with Maribyrnong Park in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and he was a regular participant in the E.J. Whitten Legends Match.