Maintains his innocence: St Kilda to appeal Collard's guilty verdict

St Kilda will appeal the nine-week suspension given to Lance Collard for conduct unbecoming.

The Saints small forward was hit with the hefty ban (with two weeks suspended) for allegedly using a homophobic slur during a recent VFL match against Frankston.

Collard was found guilty and the Saints will appeal that decision.

The club is continuing to stand by Collard, 21, who is maintaining his innocence.

Read the full statement below:

St Kilda Football Club will appeal the AFL Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision to find Lance Collard guilty of AFL Rule 2.3(a) (Conduct Unbecoming) towards an opponent, and the subsequent sanction of a nine-week suspension (with two weeks suspended).

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. As the process remains ongoing, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.

What happened?

During St Kilda's Round 2 VFL match against Frankston, it was alleged that the 21-year-old said a homophobic slur on the field towards Darby Hipwell.

In the tribunal, Hipwell was definitive that he heard the former first-round pick call him a 'f---ing f----t'.

"There’s no possibility I misheard him. I heard exactly what he said," Hipwell explained during the hearing.

This was also backed by fellow teammate Bailey Lambert.

Collard was also called upon for evidence, where he maintained his stance, claiming he said 'maggot'.

AFL Players’ Association CEO James Gallagher says the AFLPA is disappointed in the outcome.

“Lance has clearly maintained his innocence. There’s obviously contrary evidence to that,” Gallagher said on SEN Mornings.

“It’s disappointing that his perspective hasn’t been adopted by the Tribunal.

“However, it’s actually more about how we’re addressing holistically these challenges as opposed to just getting to the end an the disciplining and the sanctions.”

Gallagher added: “He’s deeply impacted by this outcome and given he’s gone back to WA to spend time with family I haven’t been able to have a chat to him yet.

“We’ve got an adversarial approach and I think the Tribunal in the decisions last night identified that when you’ve got two versions of events it’s not a great place to start from when dealing with really challenging issues that the game is facing whether that be homophobia or racism or otherwise.

“That adversarial approach hasn’t served the purposes of anyone in this process. I don’t think it’s served the purposes of the LGBTIQA+ community, I don’t think it’s served the purposes of Lance, and that’s ultimately what we’re focused on moving forward.”

Asked if the Saints should appeal the Collard suspension?

“They’re considering it,” he replied.

“Our lawyers have been doing a bit of work in recent times, they’ve worked closely with St Kilda’s over the last few weeks.

“I expect that they’ll all be sitting there and having a look at the reasons today and they’ll consider their options in that regard.

“Our team will play a role in helping identify any possible options they might have.”

During the Tribunal hearing, the AFL had called for a 10-game suspension.

Following the verdict, St Kilda has released a statement stating they were 'naturally disappointed' with the decision.

"St Kilda Football Club is naturally disappointed with the decision handed down by the AFL disciplinary tribunal this afternoon," they said.

"The process is ongoing, with further submissions from both parties to be made on any penalty. A date for this next step is yet to be confirmed.

"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.

"As the matter remains ongoing, the club will make no further comment at this time."

The AFL also released a statement of their own.

"The AFL has no tolerance for the use of homophobic language in our game and its expectations have been made extremely clear to all of our players, including by education that all AFL and VFL players receive," it said.

It is now the second time Collard's name has been associated with homophobic slurs having copped a monster six-game ban in 2024.

At the time, Collard pleaded guilty to making the slur during Sandringham's VFL clash with Williamstown.

"I am incredibly remorseful for my comments and any hurt they may have caused," Collard said 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."

The Tribunal came to the conclusion that a nine-week suspension was appropriate, with two of those matches already served. St Kilda still has the option to appeal.