‘We stand by Lance’: Saints to appeal Collard suspension
St Kilda player Lance Collard continues to protest his innocence, and will appeal a nine-match suspension for allegedly directing a homophobic slur at a Frankston opponent during a VFL match in March.
The lengthy ban – two of those weeks suspended over the 2026 and 2027 seasons – was handed down by the AFL Disciplinary Tribunal this week.
In a statement on Friday, the Saints said they would appeal the ban.
“St Kilda Football Club will appeal the AFL Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision to find Lance Collard guilty … and the subsequent sanction of a nine-week suspension (with two weeks suspended),” the Saints said.
“As a club, we will continue to stand by Lance, who maintains his position of innocence. This process has had a considerable impact on Lance, and we are committed to ensuring he is not only supported, but that his integrity is defended through the appropriate process.
“We also recognise and empathise with the impact the ongoing and public nature of this matter has had, particularly on members of the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities.
“The AFL will now determine the timing of the appeal hearing, which is expected for next week.”
Collard has denied using a homophobic slur, insisting before the tribunal he said: “Come here, you maggot” to his opponent and former Sandringham teammate Darby Hipwell.
However, the independent disciplinary tribunal found on April 10 that Collard instead used a homophobic slur, the case having begun a day earlier but adjourned after five hours.
Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said the verdict would send a message to AFL and VFL players that homophobic slurs were unacceptable.
Collard was suspended for six matches in 2024 when he admitted using a homophobic slur in a VFL game.
In this latest case, AFL counsel Andrew Woods, SC, called for a 10-week suspension, but Saints’ lawyer Michael Borsky, KC, argued a ban of that length would be “unfairly punitive”. He pointed to difficulties Collard had endured in his private life.
“He is a young Indigenous man, who I dare to suggest has had a far more difficult life than anyone else [who is part of the tribunal process],” Borsky said.
“He hasn’t had a positive role model … because of domestic abuse issues.”
Borsky told the tribunal that Collard supported his grandmother financially.
The AFL Players Association also provided a submission, which, according to Borsky, said a lengthy ban would be “disproportionate”, a “restraint of trade” and “potentially career-ending”.
Saints coach Ross Lyon said on Thursday the Collard case was “delicate”.
“I’ve been in contact with Lance pretty much every day. He’s a good young man,” Lyon said.
Lyon also warned of a human toll inflicted by the tribunal system, claiming players involved in high-profile cases had to deal with “incredibly challenging” stress that can have a lasting impact.
He drew a line between the Collard case and the drama surrounding Port Adelaide star Zak Butters and umpire Nick Foot, arguing the process itself weighed heavily on all involved.
“Whether it’s Collard, Butters, or others pulled into these processes, it’s incredibly challenging,” he said.
The AFL will have two appeal hearings next week, for the Butters’ case will be heard on Monday evening.
On Tuesday, Butters was found guilty of directing abusive and insulting language at Foot and was fined $1500, a finding the Power and player vehemently dispute. He is free to play Hawthorn on Saturday.
– with Hannah Kennelly and Sam McClure.
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.