AFL player Lance Collard faces disciplinary action for alleged homophobic slur

Where the reporting differs

Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:

• The ABC and Guardian report that Collard was initially handed a nine-week suspension, but the Guardian also states that the tribunal initially considered a 10-week suspension before settling on nine weeks.
• The appeal board's reasoning in the Guardian and ABC suggests that Collard's previous misconduct in 2024 was 'probably far more serious' than the current incident, while St Kilda's legal team argued the current incident was more serious due to the context of the melee.
• The ABC and Guardian both report that Collard's suspension was reduced to four weeks on appeal, but the ABC also states that the final suspension was four weeks with two weeks suspended, while the Guardian states it was two weeks with two weeks suspended (totaling four weeks).
• The appeal board's statement that offensive language is 'commonplace' in football was strongly rejected by AFL boss Andrew Dillon, who called it 'dangerous' and contrary to the league's zero-tolerance policy.
• The Guardian and ABC both report that Collard's suspension was reduced due to its 'crippling' impact on his career, but the Guardian emphasizes that the appeal board also considered Collard's Indigenous background and difficult upbringing as factors, while the ABC focuses more on the excessive nature of the penalty.