St Kilda AFL player Lance Collard faces tribunal for alleged homophobic slur during VFL match
Consensus Summary
St Kilda AFL player Lance Collard is facing a disciplinary tribunal for allegedly using a homophobic slur during a VFL match against Frankston last week. The incident follows a previous six-game ban in 2024 for the same offense while he was playing for Sandringham, an AFL-affiliated VFL team. Collard was also suspended for two weeks (after pleading guilty) for a high hit on an opponent in the same match, which led to an on-field brawl. Both sources confirm the tribunal hearing is scheduled for next week, with the AFL referring a breach of AFL Rule 2.3 (Conduct Unbecoming). While both articles agree on the core details, ABC notes Collard has denied using the slur to investigators, framing it as the most serious charge against him. The incident highlights ongoing efforts by the AFL to address homophobic behavior in the sport, following recent crackdowns on similar offenses.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Lance Collard (21) is facing a disciplinary tribunal for allegedly using a homophobic slur during a VFL match against Frankston on [date not specified, but last week]
- Collard was previously banned for six games in 2024 for using a homophobic slur while playing for VFL side Sandringham (affiliated with St Kilda)
- Collard was suspended for three weeks (later reduced to two weeks) for a high hit on an opponent in the same match where the slur was allegedly used
- The AFL has referred a charge of alleged breach of AFL Rule 2.3 (a) (Conduct Unbecoming) against Collard to a disciplinary tribunal hearing scheduled for next week
- The incident occurred during a heated exchange in the Round 2 VFL match against Frankston
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The three-week suspension was dropped to two weeks after Collard pleaded guilty to the high hit charge
- The AFL spokesman provided a direct quote confirming the tribunal hearing: 'The AFL has referred a charge of an alleged breach of AFL Rule 2.3 (a) (Conduct Unbecoming) against St Kilda player Lance Collard during the Round 2 VFL match against Frankston to a disciplinary tribunal hearing'
- The incident comes less than two years after Collard was served a six-game ban for using homophobic slurs
- Collard has allegedly told AFL investigators he did not use a homophobic slur
- The alleged homophobic slur is described as the 'most serious charge' compared to the high hit
- The 2024 ban occurred while Collard was playing for VFL side Sandringham, then affiliated with St Kilda, and was part of several homophobic slur cases prompting an AFL crackdown
- A photo credit is provided to Getty Images/AFL Photos: Janelle St Pierre for the article
- The incident sparked an on-field melee after Collard's swinging arm hit an opponent's head
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources regarding core factual claims
Source Articles
Saints forward to face tribunal for alleged homophobic slur
St Kilda forward Lance Collard will front a disciplinary tribunal hearing next week after he allegedly used a homophobic slur during a VFL match....
Saints player faces tribunal for alleged slur
The incident comes less than two years after the VFL player was hit with a six-match ban over an allegation of a similar incident on the field....