St Kilda Player Lance Collard Found Guilty By Afl Of Using Homophobic Slur

St Kilda guardant Lance Collard has been recovered blameworthy of utilizing a homophobic slur against an opponent, leaving his AFL profession hanging successful nan balance.

Collard had rejected suggestions he called his Frankston force a “f*****” during a VFL lucifer past month.

The proceeding took spot connected Thursday, but nan tribunal sheet did not scope a determination earlier nan 5pm deadline.

Deliberations resumed connected Friday greeting earlier nan judgement – that nan complaint beryllium upheld – was made nationalist precocious that evening.

There will adjacent beryllium a proceeding to find nan sanction.

The AFL pressed for a 10-week suspension for Collard, alternatively than a 10-match suspension, if he was recovered blameworthy of behaviour unbecoming.

“The AFL acknowledges nan determination of nan independent disciplinary tribunal coming to uphold nan complaint against Lance Collard of nan St Kilda Football Club pursuing a uncovering that he breached AFL Rule 2.3(a) (Conduct Unbecoming) by nan usage of a homophobic slur directed towards an force successful a VFL lucifer connected March 27,” nan AFL said successful a statement.

“A punishment proceeding will now beryllium convened to find nan punishment astatine a day and clip to beryllium determined.

“The AFL has nary tolerance for nan usage of homophobic connection successful our crippled and its expectations person been made highly clear to each of our players, including by acquisition that each AFL and VFL players receive.”

St Kilda were “naturally disappointed” and will see appealing nan judgement.

“The nine is besides reviewing nan tribunal’s written findings and will see its position, including avenues of appeal,” St Kilda said successful a statement.

“We will proceed to support Lance passim this process.”

Collard, who was banned for six matches for utilizing nan aforesaid homophobic word successful 2024, was adamant he did not usage it this time.

He insisted he said, “Come here, maggot”, to Frankston subordinate Darby Hipwell.

“He had his caput up against my receptor and he said nan words to me, ‘Darby, you ‘f***ing f*****’,” Hipwell said.

The allegation was supported by Hipwell’s teammate Bailey Lambert.

Hipwell and Collard antecedently played together pinch VFL nine Sandringham erstwhile that broadside was St Kilda’s state-league affiliate.

Collard has played 15 AFL games, aft being taken by nan Saints successful nan 2023 draft.

He is already serving a two-match prohibition stemming from a precocious deed connected an force successful nan aforesaid VFL lucifer he allegedly utilized nan homophobic slur.