He will become only the fifth player recruited from Kyabram to have played 100 games (or more) of VFL/AFL football when he and the Suns come up against the Western Bulldogs.
Only former Kyabram players in Brett Deledio (275 games Richmond-Greater Western Sydney), Richard (Dick) Clay (230 games Richmond), Garry Lyon (226 games Melbourne and Charlie Fisher (111 games Carlton) have played more games at the elite level than Holman.
Holman’s entry into the elite club has been a story of patience, plain old guts, grit and determination and unwavering self belief.
The Suns, which haven’t played finals (never finishing better than 12th on the ladder), are a game outside the top eight with four wins from the opening 10 rounds.
A victory against the sixth-ranked Bulldogs could see them embroiled in a seven-way battle for the last two spots in the top eight.
Holman first caught the eyes of AFL talent scouts in 2012, his star rising even further the following year when — as an 18-year-old — he was one of the prime movers in Kyabram’s drought-breaking GV premiership side of 2013 under David Williams.
Carlton then drafted Holman as the number 51 pick in the 2014 AFL draft and in two seasons with the Blues, he managed nine games.
But a recruiting campaign by the Blues squeezed Holman out of favour and he was delisted at the end of the 2014 season.
But rather than take that setback and resigning himself to the fact his AFL career was finished, Holman reacted with a fierce desire to reignite his AFL career.
Two impressive seasons with Central Districts in the South Australian Football League courted interest from the Gold Coast Suns and the rest is history.
Holman seized his second chance and is now one of the most respected players in the Suns team because of his work ethic and determination.
As Holman puts it, “I wasn’t blessed with the natural ability of most AFL players, but I pride myself on my work ethic and giving all for the team.’’
Holman rates his resurrection as the most satisfying experience of his football journey.
However, he said there was no-one more prouder when he reignited his AFL career than his late mother, Kylie, who tragically passed away suddenly early last year.
‘‘I was pretty happy about it, but Mum really got a big kick out of it when I got into the Gold Coast team,“ Holman said.
‘‘I’m really lucky because Gold Coast was the only club to show faith in me and give me a second chance.’’
Holman said he was really looking forward to his milestone game on Saturday night in Darwin, particularly as he would have a lot family support to mark the occasion.
And Holman believes Gold Coast Suns are still a big chance to play finals.
“We gave Brisbane a run or their money for three quarters last Saturday night and we believe our best is good as any of the teams on our day,” Holman said.
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