ST KILDA forward Lance Collard will face a disciplinary Tribunal hearing for conduct unbecoming on Thursday afternoon, following an incident from a round two VFL match against Frankston.
Collard was under investigation for the alleged use of a homophobic slur in the match on March 27, less than two years after copping a six-game ban for using a homophobic slur in another match.
He has denied using a homophobic slur in the March 27 game and the matter will be determined by a Tribunal hearing on Thursday.
In July 2024, Collard was banned for six games for using homophobic slurs against his opponents during a VFL game. He was required to undergo a Pride in Sport education program as part of his punishment.
“St Kilda Football Club is aware of an alleged incident involving one of its players during last night’s VFL match against Frankston,” the Saints said in a statement released on March 29.
“The club takes matters of this nature extremely seriously and is working closely with the AFL Integrity Unit as it conducts its investigation into the matter.
“While this process is underway, it would be inappropriate for the club to comment further.”
Collard is already banned for the Saints’ next two matches for a high hit on a Dolphins opponent in the VFL in the same game.
Collard, who has played 15 senior games across three seasons listed at the Saints, collected Frankston’s Jackson Voss high during the third quarter of the VFL match at Kinetic Stadium. Voss is the son of 135-game St Kilda player Brett.
The incident sparked an all-in brawl, with Dolphins players seeking out Collard for retribution.
He is contracted until the end of 2027.
In the past two years, six AFL-listed players – Collard, Jeremy Finlayson, Wil Powell, Jack Graham, Riak Andrew and Izak Rankine – have been suspended for using a homophobic slur in a game.
After the 2024 incident, that Saints labelled Collard’s comments “totally unacceptable” while the player apologised for his behaviour.
“I am incredibly remorseful for my comments and any hurt they may have caused,” Collard said in a statement at the time.
“I’m disappointed in myself and fully accept the consequences for my behaviour.
“What I did doesn’t represent my values, or the values of the club. I have apologised to the Williamstown players who were impacted by my behaviour, and unreservedly reiterate that apology to anyone else my conduct affected.
