1 month ago
St Kilda guardant Lance Collard has been banned for 7 weeks by nan AFL tribunal for directing a homophobic slur towards an opponent.
The penalty, which includes a further two-week prohibition suspended until nan extremity of nan 2027 season, was announced astatine a sanctions proceeding connected Tuesday afternoon.
St Kilda, who based on for a financial punishment aliases a maximum of a four-week prohibition pinch 2 of those weeks suspended, person antecedently indicated nan anticipation of an appeal.
The AFL had based on for a 10-week ban.
Tuesday’s punishment comes aft nan tribunal past Friday upheld a complaint of “conduct unbecoming” against Collard, who had denied allegations he called his Frankston force a “fucking faggot” during a VFL lucifer past month.
Collard, who was besides banned for six matches erstwhile he pleaded blameworthy to utilizing nan aforesaid homophobic connection successful 2024, was adamant he did not usage it this time.
Instead, nan 21-year-old insisted he said, “Come here, maggot”, to Frankston subordinate Darby Hipwell. But Hipwell was adamant that was not nan case.
“He had his caput up against my receptor and he said nan words to me, ‘Darby, you ‘fucking faggot’,” Hipwell said successful his grounds astatine nan tribunal.
The allegation from Hipwell was supported by his Frankston teammate Bailey Lambert, who besides gave evidence.
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 selected by nan Saints successful nan 2023 draft.
He is besides serving a two-match prohibition stemming from a precocious deed connected an force successful nan aforesaid VFL lucifer past month.
Collard’s caller seven-week suspension will commencement aft his striking prohibition is completed, meaning Collard won’t beryllium free to play astatine immoderate level until June.
St Kilda past week said they would proceed to support Collard, who is contracted until nan extremity of 2027.
