St Kilda removed from AFL Pride Game after Lance Collard homophobia case
Consensus Summary
The Sydney Swans and St Kilda have ended their annual Pride Game partnership in 2026 after fringe St Kilda player Lance Collard was found guilty of using homophobic language in a VFL match. The game, which celebrates LGBTIQA+ inclusivity and has been held since 2016, was originally scheduled for round 13 at the SCG but was moved to round 17 against the Western Bulldogs. Collard's penalty was initially seven matches but was reduced to two weeks (with another two weeks suspended) after an appeal. The AFL later sacked the appeal board chair, Will Houghton KC, for calling homophobic language 'commonplace' in the game. Both clubs released statements acknowledging the impact of the case on LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities, with St Kilda expressing regret at not continuing the Pride Game designation. The Swans emphasized their commitment to inclusivity and the positive message of the event.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- St Kilda was removed from the 2026 AFL Pride Game against Sydney Swans due to Lance Collard's homophobic language case
- The Pride Game was originally scheduled for round 13 at the SCG (Sydney Swans vs. St Kilda) but was moved to round 17 (Swans vs. Western Bulldogs)
- Lance Collard, a fringe St Kilda player, was initially found guilty of using homophobic language in a VFL game and banned for seven matches (second offence)
- St Kilda appealed, and the penalty was reduced to two weeks (with another two weeks suspended)
- AFL sacked appeal board chair Will Houghton KC last month after he stated in the verdict that racist, sexist, or homophobic language was 'commonplace' in the game
- The Pride Game has been contested between Sydney Swans and St Kilda since 2016
- Sydney Swans released a statement saying they shifted the Pride Game to 'ensure the game has the positive impact that is intended' and stand with the LGBTIQA+ community
- St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena stated the club wanted to stay involved in the Pride Game but understood and supported the decision due to the impact of the Collard case on LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Swans' statement was released on Wednesday night (2026-05-14T00:25:20.853505)
- The Saints' statement was released with Carl Dilena thanking all parties for respectful discussions
- The ABC article was published slightly earlier (2026-05-13T22:20:28.174729) than the Guardian's
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources on core factual claims
Source Articles
St Kilda cut from AFL Pride game after Lance Collard homopbobia case
Round 17 fixture to instead feature Western Bulldogs against Sydney Saints player Collard banned for use of homophobic slur The fallout continues from the Lance Collard AFL tribunal case, with St Kilda cut from the annual Pride Game against Sydney. The fixture, which celebrates LGBTIQA+ inclusivity, was supposed to take place when the Swans were hosting the Saints in round 13 at the SCG. Instead, the fixture has been switched to the Swans’ match against the Western Bulldogs in round 17. Continue
Swans move annual Pride Game away from St Kilda after Collard case
The fallout continues from the Lance Collard AFL tribunal case, with St Kilda cut from the annual Pride Game against Sydney.