ONE OF this year's most talented draft prospects is set to miss all of this season after suffering a knee injury this week.
Elijah Hollands, who has been viewed as one of the leading contenders for the No.1 pick in the 2020 pool, went down with the left knee injury at training on Tuesday.
10 TO WATCH Cal Twomey looks at 2020's top prospects
Unfortunately it has been confirmed that Hollands ruptured his left ACL yesterday. A shame for him, and clubs and watchers who were looking forward to him playing this year (especially as a non-Academy player) but his performances as a bottom-ager will hold him in good stead.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) February 26, 2020
The 18-year-old had been bracing for bad news and it was confirmed on Wednesday when clubs were notified that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Hollands was set to play the majority of this season with the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League, having finished his schooling at Caulfield Grammar last year.
He is also one of Vic Country's most accomplished draft hopefuls, having featured in the under-18 national carnival last season as a bottom-ager.
Hollands, whose father Ben played eight games for Richmond in 1999, is a powerful forward and midfielder who boasts strength, a booming kick and smarts around goal.
He showed on Grand Final day in the NAB All Stars 'Futures' clash that he can also take those traits into the midfield, when he had 24 disposals, five clearances and kicked two goals.
Recruiters have shown in recent years they are willing to take on players who have suffered serious knee injuries in their draft years with early picks.
Jake Lever (2014), Ryan Burton (2015), Aiden Bonar (2017), Max King (2018) and Brodie Kemp (last year) were all selected in the first round of their respective drafts despite missing significant chunks of their under-18 campaigns due to knee injuries.
