St Kilda AFL player Lance Collard faces tribunal for alleged homophobic slur during VFL match
Consensus Summary
St Kilda’s Lance Collard is facing a disciplinary tribunal after allegedly using a homophobic slur during a VFL match against Frankston. The 21-year-old forward was initially suspended for three weeks for a brawl involving a high hit, later reduced to two weeks after pleading guilty. This follows a six-game ban in 2024 for a similar offence while playing for Sandringham, an AFL-affiliated VFL team. Both sources confirm the tribunal hearing is scheduled for next week under AFL Rule 2.3 (Conduct Unbecoming). While both articles agree on the core details, ABC reports Collard has denied the slur to investigators, a claim not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU. The incident highlights Collard’s repeated disciplinary issues, including violent conduct and homophobic behavior, raising concerns about his future with St Kilda.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Lance Collard (21) is a St Kilda forward facing a disciplinary tribunal for an alleged homophobic slur during a VFL match against Frankston in Round 2
- Collard was initially banned for three weeks for a brawl involving a high hit on an opponent in the same match, later reduced to two weeks after pleading guilty
- This incident follows a six-game ban Collard received in 2024 for using a homophobic slur while playing for VFL side Sandringham (affiliated with St Kilda)
- The AFL has referred the case under AFL Rule 2.3 (a) (Conduct Unbecoming) to a disciplinary tribunal hearing scheduled for next week
- Collard allegedly used the slur during a heated exchange with another player in the VFL match against Frankston last week
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- AFL spokesman quoted: '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'
- No mention of Collard denying the slur in this source
- Collard allegedly told AFL investigators he did not use a homophobic slur
- The incident sparked an on-field melee after his swinging arm hit an opponent's head
- The 2024 ban came while Collard was playing for VFL side Sandringham, then affiliated with St Kilda
- The 2024 ban was part of several homophobic slur cases prompting an AFL crackdown, including Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine's four-match ban
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU does not mention Collard denying the slur, but ABC reports Collard allegedly told investigators he did not use a homophobic slur
- NEWSCOMAU states the three-week ban was reduced to two weeks after Collard pleaded guilty, but ABC does not specify the exact reason for the reduction beyond the guilty plea
- ABC mentions the 2024 ban was part of an AFL crackdown on homophobic slurs, including Rankine's case, while NEWSCOMAU does not reference Rankine or the broader crackdown
Source Articles
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....
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....