Hello and welcome to Zero Hanger's coverage of Thursday's AFL Appeal Board hearing regarding St Kilda's Lance Collard and his use of a homophobic slur in a VFL match in March.
The Saints are contesting a nine-week suspension (two weeks suspended until the end of 2027) that was handed down by the Tribunal.
Follow live below...
Live: St Kilda Lance Collard's AFL Appeal Board hearing
5.40pm Furthermore, Borsky challenges the reliability and honesty of the witnesses (Hipwell and Lambert). He asks how it can be proven that there were two independent witnesses, as Frankston players Hipwell and Lambert spoke to each other about what they would say.
5.30pm The Saints argue the Tribunal could not be comfortably satisfied Collard used the alleged 'f word', given the player has repeatedly denied the allegation and there is no audio evidence available.
5.16pm Borsky claims the AFL should have used rule 35 (the Peek Rule, regarding Discrimination and Racial Vilification) instead of rule 2.3(a). "Was the correct avenue for the AFL to pursue this sort of conduct, and was it the only correct avenue? And because the AFL proceeded under the wrong charge, it ought to be dismissed," Borsky said.
5.05pm St Kilda's legal representative and board member, Michael Borsky KC, claims an on-field comment that isn't picked up via microphones, and is aimed towards a player that is not offended, is far removed from what the conduct unbecoming rule addresses.
5.00pm A good start, we're away on time! The million-dollar question is, what time will we finish?
