The proof has been obvious for some time and last Friday night it manifested into a notable milestone.
The 31-year-old from Kyabram played his 150th AFL game when he took to the field for the Gold Coast Suns against AFL powerhouse Hawthorn.
Unfortunately, the milestone didn’t have a fairytale ending with the Hawks prevailing, but Holman did his bit for the Suns and was one of their best in his notable milestone game.
Life hasn’t been an easy journey for Holman, who has had to handle the sudden death of his mother Kylie and a sacking from his first AFL club Carlton after only nine games in two seasons.
His current coach Damian Hardwick also pointed out in a post game interview last Friday night that Holman might be a unique AFL player as he has survived to play 150 games and has never had a contract that has extended beyond one year.
That feat is believed to be a record in the VFL/AFL.
But Holman has still had the determination to walk the walk and talk the talk no matter how big the odds have been stacked against him.
On Kyabram’s long and proud list of VFL/AFL players, only three other Bombers have played more games than Holman at the elite level.
They are Brett Deledio (275 Richmond and Greater Western Sydney), Garry Lyon (226 Melbourne) and Richard Clay (213 Richmond).
Charlie Fisher (111 games Carlton) and Kayne Pettifer (113 games Richmond) are the other two Kyabram players to have played more than 100 AFL games out of a total of 30 players directly recruited from Kyabram to AFL (VFL) clubs.
Friday night was Holman’s 141st appearance with The Suns and with nine games for Carlton in the 2014-15 season to kick off his AFL career it took his tally to 150 AFL games.
Holman hasn’t been a big name player, but certainly has been known as one of the fiercest competitors in the AFL, playing mainly midfield and forward.
Holman showed from an early age he was a player who was destined for bigger things.
He played his junior football in Kyabram and with the Murray Bushrangers, where his leadership qualities surfaced, and he was awarded with the vice-captaincy of the side.
He was named the joint Most Valuable in the Victorian Country side at the 2013 AFL National Under 18 Championships, playing as a midfielder.
At the same time, he juggled games with the Kyabram thirds and seniors and at 17 years of age was in Kyabram’s 2013 GVL premiership side under legendary coach Dave Williams.
He was voted one of Kyabram's best players in that win, which led to him being picked at number 51 in the 2013 AFL draft by Carlton.
Stubbornly refusing to concede his AFL career was over after being shown the door by Carlton after two seasons, Holman spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with SANFL club Central Districts where he regularly starred.
In his first year, he finished third in Central District's best-and-fairest award and also took the Most Courageous player award.
That form was enough to convince the Gold Coast Suns he could still play at the highest level again, and they recruited him .
The rest is history.
Holman’s contract with the Gold Coast Suns expires this year, and whether it is renewed is going to be interesting.
But Holman has proved he can overcome adversity no matter what the odds.
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