St Kilda’s Lance Collard has been banned from playing in the AFL for seven matches. He was given a nine‑match ban, but two were suspended. The AFL had called for a 10‑match ban.
The punishment was handed down after Collard was found guilty of using a gay slur in a Victorian Football League (VFL) game against Frankston. Collard has denied calling another player an offensive gay slur, insisting he called his opponent a “maggot”.
It is the second time Collard, who hails from Western Australia, has been found guilty of the offence. In 2024 he served a six‑game ban.
St Kilda said they were disappointed with the decision and would consider appealing the finding.
“St Kilda Football Club is disappointed with the sanction imposed by the AFL Tribunal at today’s hearing.
“The club is currently reviewing the Tribunal’s reasons, together with the original judgement, and will consider potential avenues of appeal. Under the AFL rules the club has five days to assess its appeal options,” the club said in a statement.
“The matter has had a significant impact on Lance and the club will continue to support him through this process.
“We also recognise the impact the public nature of this matter has had, particularly on the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities,” they added.
The club said they would not be making any further statement, but player Liam Ryan shared his thoughts on Instagram, posting a story with an image of Collard and the caption “double standards”.
