Saint Lance Collard has anti-gay slur ban reduced - ESPN
St Kilda's Lance Collard has had his nine-game ban, for using an anti-gay slur on the field, reduced to just four weeks, after an AFL appeals board hearing.
www.espn.comHere’s the latest on Lance Collard based on recent reporting:
- A disciplinary case in early April 2026 led to a significant suspension after Collard was found guilty of using a homophobic slur during a VFL match. The initial ban was reported as lengthy, though the AFL appeals process subsequently reduced the sanction to two weeks, with a further two weeks suspended until the end of the next season.[3][4][8]
- St Kilda publicly acknowledged the outcome, expressed disappointment with the tribunal’s initial assessment, and emphasized support for Collard during the period away from the field, while also noting the broader impact on LGBTQIA+ communities.[4][3]
- Coverage from AFL-related outlets and mainstream sports news highlighted ongoing discussions about tribunal consistency and the implications for players’ careers, with some outlets noting that further reviews or appeals had taken place and others offering context on the club’s stance and community considerations.[1][2][7]
If you’d like, I can pull a concise timeline or create a quick summary with dates and sanctions, or track any updates to his status (e.g., return-to-play notes or contract implications).
Citations:
- AFL.com.au reporting on initial ban and successor statements[9][1]
- ESPN reporting on appeals board reduction to two weeks[2]
- 7News reporting on AFL appeals board verdict and club statements[3][4]
- ABC News summary of reception to hearing and broader impact[8]