Carlton Football Club has announced that Elijah Hollands and Wade Dirksen will wear navy blue in 2026, with both players signing as part of the pre-season supplementary selection period (SSP).

The dual signing comes after small forward Jesse Motop was placed on the inactive list after tearing his ACL in January.

Hollands has spent pre-season working hard to get back on the club’s AFL playing list, but today… It bore fruit, After a summer of working hard.

A versatile forward/midfielder, the 23-year-old has good stamina and clean ball usage, as evidenced in 27 games in his two seasons with the Blues, and is capable of influencing the game in a variety of ways.

The 194cm Derksen has already signed with Carlton’s Reserve Program for 2026 and will bring strong aerial ability and competitiveness, further strengthening Carlton’s depth heading into the season.

Able to make an impact at both ends of the ground, the 24-year-old also excelled defensively and was named in the VFL Team of the Year as a defender the following year, after being the Giants’ top goal kicker in the 2023 VFL team.

Dirksen, who played 57 VFL games in three-and-a-half seasons with GWS, can cover ground quickly, is strong in the air and has the athleticism to consistently compete in one-on-one contests. He wears gauzy number 47.

Nick Austin, head of list management, said Holland’s strong pre-season form and Derksen’s immediate impact and professionalism since arriving at Carlton were key factors in the club’s decision.

“Elijah has approached this preseason with true purpose and professionalism, and today’s announcement is a true testament to his dedication,” Austin said.

“From the moment last season ended, his attitude, preparation and competitiveness have been at the level we expected. Elijah has a real X-factor, the ability to play not only up front but also in the middle of the ground, which is a boon for us.”

“Wade has shown remarkable growth over the past few seasons. His versatility, athleticism and work rate have been outstanding throughout this preseason, and we believe he has the qualities to bring real value to our team.”

“Both players have new opportunities at the elite level and we look forward to watching them make the most of it in their navy blue uniforms this season.”