St Kilda Forward Lance Collard to Face AFL Disciplinary Tribunal Over Alleged Homophobic Slur
St Kilda forward Lance Collard is set to appear before a historic AFL disciplinary tribunal regarding an alleged homophobic slur, as he maintains his innocence in the matter. The incident occurred during St Kilda's VFL loss last week, where Collard is accused of directing a homophobic comment towards a Frankston opponent.
Details of the Alleged Incident and Collard's Defense
Collard has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he called an opposition player "a maggot" rather than using any homophobic language. The AFL has announced that a disciplinary hearing will be scheduled for next week to investigate the issue under AFL Rule 2.3 (a), which pertains to Conduct Unbecoming. This marks the first time an AFL player will face a tribunal on such grounds, with the exact date and time yet to be finalized.
Collard's Previous Disciplinary Record and Current Suspension
The 21-year-old player has a history of disciplinary issues, having been suspended for six games in 2024 after admitting to using multiple homophobic slurs against VFL opponents. As part of that penalty, he was required to complete a Pride in Sport education program. Additionally, Collard is already facing a three-week suspension for a high swinging arm incident that struck Jackson Voss, which sparked an all-in brawl during the same match.
Potential Consequences and Contract Implications
Collard is contracted with St Kilda until the end of next year, but if found guilty of using homophobic remarks again, there have been calls for the AFL to strip him of his contract. The outcome of the tribunal could have significant repercussions for his career and set a precedent for how the league handles similar conduct violations in the future.
