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. The incident occurred during a heated exchange in the match, which also saw Collard involved in a brawl that earned him a three-week suspensionālater reduced to two weeks after he pleaded guilty. This follows a six-game ban Collard received in 2024 for a similar offence while playing for Sandringham, an affiliate of St Kilda. The AFL has confirmed the case will be heard next week under Rule 2.3 (a) for conduct unbecoming, with Collard reportedly denying the slur to investigators. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of homophobic behavior in Australian football, following broader crackdowns earlier this year. Both sources agree on the timeline and severity of the charges, though ABC provides additional context on Collardās denial and the broader AFL crackdown.
ā 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 on [specific date not given but implied last week]
- Collard was initially banned for three weeks for a brawl in the same match, later reduced to two weeks after pleading guilty to a high hit on an opponent
- 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 a charge under AFL Rule 2.3 (a) (Conduct Unbecoming) to a disciplinary tribunal hearing scheduled for next week
- Collard allegedly used the homophobic slur during a heated exchange with another player in the VFL match against Frankston
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- AFL spokesman provided a direct quote confirming the referral to the tribunal: '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 article specifies the match was in Round 2 of the VFL season
- ABC reports Collard has told AFL investigators he did not use a homophobic slur
- ABC includes a photo credit (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Janelle St Pierre) and mentions the incident sparked an on-field melee with a 'swinging arm to the head'
- ABC references the AFL crackdown on homophobic slurs in 2024, including Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine's four-match ban for an incident against Collingwood
- ABC notes Collard was playing for VFL side Sandringham (affiliated with St Kilda) when he received the six-game ban in 2024
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources on core factual claims
Source Articles
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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....