AFL Tribunal Delivers Verdict in Homophobic Slur Case
After an extensive investigation and tribunal hearing spanning more than 24 hours, the AFL has found St Kilda player Lance Collard guilty of using a homophobic slur during a VFL clash last month. The decision was handed down at 7pm on Friday, following an initial deadline set for Thursday at 5pm.
Conflicting Accounts and Tribunal Deliberations
Collard was accused of calling Frankston's Darby Hipwell a "f****** f****t" during the match on Friday, March 27. However, Collard maintains his innocence, insisting he said "maggot"—a word that rhymes with the alleged slur. Despite signing a statutory declaration to support his claim, the tribunal upheld the charge after hearing evidence from Hipwell and his teammate Bailey Lambert.
"I could not be more confident in what I heard," Hipwell told the tribunal. Lambert echoed this certainty, stating he was "100 per cent" sure Collard used the homophobic term. Lambert described being very close to Collard's face during the incident and immediately alerting the umpire.
History of Previous Incident and Collard's Defense
This marks the second time Collard has faced such allegations. In 2024, he received a six-week ban after pleading guilty to using a similar slur. During the recent tribunal hearing, Collard emphasized his remorse for the past incident and his commitment to not repeating the mistake.
"I know they think I've said the word f****t because I've said it before, but I admitted it last time when I said it... I never said it this time," Collard testified. He highlighted the legal risks of lying in a statutory declaration, asserting his honesty. Collard also reported telling St Kilda officials Damian Carroll and Lenny Hayes after the match that he had said "maggot" on the field.
Legal Arguments and Club Response
The AFL argued for guilt based on Collard's prior conduct, the uncommon use of "maggot" in modern football, and the context of the altercation. In response, St Kilda's representative, Michael Borsky, questioned the reliability of the Frankston players' accounts, suggesting possible collusion. The club also challenged the AFL's emphasis on past behavior, noting it "contradicts the prospects of rehabilitation."
St Kilda expressed disappointment with the verdict in a Friday night statement, confirming they are reviewing the tribunal's findings and considering an appeal. "The club is also reviewing the tribunal's written findings and will consider its position, including avenues of appeal. We will continue to support Lance Collard throughout this process," the statement read.
Pending Penalty and Future Implications
A penalty has yet to be determined, with the AFL seeking a 10-match ban. Collard, drafted with pick 28 in 2023, has played 15 senior games for St Kilda and remains contracted until the end of next year. Following his 2024 incident, Collard issued a public apology, stating, "I am incredibly remorseful for my comments and any hurt they may have caused... What I did doesn't represent my values, or the values of the club."
As the process continues, both parties will make further submissions on the penalty, with a date for the next step still to be confirmed. The case underscores ongoing challenges in addressing discriminatory language in sports, balancing accountability with rehabilitation efforts.
