Lance Collard, a player for St Kilda, has been found to have used a homophobic slur during a VFL match in March. The incident occurred against an opponent from Frankston, and the AFL made the announcement on Friday evening following a lengthy independent disciplinary tribunal that lasted nearly five hours on Thursday.
The tribunal determined that Collard violated AFL Rule 2.3(a), which pertains to conduct unbecoming, by using a homophobic slur directed at an opponent. This is not the first time Collard has faced such allegations. In 2024, he was suspended for six matches after admitting to using a similar slur in a VFL game. During this latest hearing, Collard denied using a homophobic slur and claimed he said, “Come here, you maggot,” to his opponent, Darby Hipwell, who is also a former teammate from Sandringham.
In a brief statement, the AFL indicated that a sanction hearing will be scheduled to determine the appropriate penalty. The league emphasized its strict stance against the use of homophobic language, stating that expectations are clearly communicated to all players through education programs.
The Saints, Collard’s club, expressed disappointment with the tribunal’s decision and confirmed that both parties would submit their arguments regarding any potential penalty. The club is currently reviewing the tribunal’s findings and considering possible avenues of appeal. They also stated they will continue to support Collard throughout the process and will not make further comments while the matter is ongoing.
The AFL argued during the hearing that if Collard is found guilty, he should receive a 10-week suspension.
South Australia’s Stance on AFL Expansion
South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, has vowed to block any proposal to expand the opening round of the AFL season to include matches in Queensland and NSW. He believes such an expansion could risk the state’s investment in the Gather Round concept, which is held in Adelaide.
Malinauskas emphasized the unique value of Gather Round, describing it as having a “secret sauce” that makes it special. He warned that replicating it in a half-hearted manner would diminish its impact. While Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham proposed including all clubs in the opening round, creating a quasi version of Gather Round earlier in the season, Malinauskas dismissed the idea.
“I don’t think it would be wise to replicate Gather Round in a way that’s sort of half-pregnant,” he said. “We need to think carefully about how we approach this.”
Malinauskas and the AFL were hopeful that a new contract to continue Gather Round would be finalized soon. However, he cautioned against setting high expectations, emphasizing the importance of getting the deal right rather than rushing it.
Future Plans and Negotiations
Malinauskas also mentioned the possibility of including a State of Origin game in the AFL negotiations next year. He highlighted the increased bargaining power of the state government compared to previous years and suggested that this could be an opportunity to negotiate more favorable terms.
With the SANFL celebrating its 150th anniversary next year, Malinauskas sees this as a prime opportunity to host a significant event.
Contingencies for Future Gather Rounds
As Tasmania prepares to join the AFL in 2028 as the 19th team, the league is considering contingency plans for future Gather Rounds. One option involves having Adelaide or Port Adelaide bookend the event by playing two games within a five-day span.
