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2005:
A nuggetty rover, Holland played a solid second half of the season,
playing with distinction and working as hard as ever.
2004:
After being drafted to Fremantle from the Tassie Mariners in the TAC
Cup, Holland was used as a rover in his first season at the Dockers
and was impressive – good enough to make then Dockers coach
Gerard Neesham liken Holland to Saints champion Robert Harvey.
Holland continued his form in 1999 but faded toward the end of the
year and by the end of 2000 was shipped off to Collingwood along with
James Clement. New Dockers coach Damian Drum didn’t see the
promise in Holland that Neesham saw and offered him as trade bait.
At Collingwood, Holland made an immediate impression, with his goal
kicking nous keeping his spot in the side. Holland would often star
early in a match and fade for the 2nd and 3rd quarters before starring
in the last. In round two 2002 against West Coast at the MCG. Holland
won the game off his own boot – literally! He scored eight goals
as he single handedly carried the Pies over the line by a point.
But as the season wore on, Holland’s impact lessened and youngsters
such as Alan Didak and Leon Davis took over the role as a forward
pocket – leaving Holland on the bench or at Williamstown.
Although he was named as an emergency for the Grand Final, Holland’s
future appeared to be at the crossroads. After a terrible start to
2003, where Holland had one kick and was suspended for two weeks for
striking Richmond’s Greg Stafford, Holland fought back midway
through the season and established himself as the side’s premier
tagger.
But the rush to the finals wasn’t all plain sailing. Holland
was suspended for two weeks in round 21 for a behind the play incident
involving Swan Paul Williams. Video footage showed that Holland punched
Williams on the head, 50 meters off the ball.
Holland missed the round 22 clash with the Bombers the Qualifying
Final against the Lions but returned for the Preliminary Final against
Port.
Holland scored two goals as he helped the Pies charge into the Grand
Final. On a dirty Grand Final day, Holland was not disgraced as he
continued to fight his heart out, even when the resalt was beyond
doubt.
2004 was another consistent year from Holland, who was suspended for
four weeks for kicking Scott Camporearle in round seven against Carlton.
Holland returned against Melbourne to be a key player in the coming
weeks. |