St Kilda forward Lance Collard has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming after the AFL Disciplinary Tribunal found sufficient evidence that he said a homophobic slur during St Kilda's Round 2 VFL match against Frankston on March 27.
The Tribunal, comprised of Chair Jeff Gleeson KC, former player Scott Stevens and barrister Melia Benn, upheld the charge, but did not hand down a penalty. The Tribunal will re-sit at a later date to hear both the AFL and St Kilda's submissions as to the sanction Collard should receive before handing down its penalty.
St Kilda has indicated it will consider an appeal.
"St Kilda Football Club is naturally disappointed with the decision handed down by the AFL disciplinary tribunal this afternoon," the statement read.
"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 throughout this process.
"As the matter remains ongoing, the club will make no further comment at this time."
The AFL, which has requested Collard be slapped with a 10-game suspension, made a brief statement, following Friday's decision.
"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," the statement read.
The alleged slur is a breach of the AFL's "conduct unbecoming" rule, and in what was a first in AFL history, Collard fronted an AFL disciplinary tribunal hearing on Thursday.
During the four-hour hearing, where a verdict could not be determined, Collard vehemently denied calling Hipwell a "f***ing f****t", insisting he said "maggot". Collard signed a statutory declaration to support his case. He insisted he said the word "maggot".
"Come here, maggot," Collard, who was previously banned for six games after using a homophobic slur in 2024, said on Thursday when recounting the incident
"I admitted it last time when I said it, but I never said it this time.
"I signed an oath during the week about it, saying that I'm being 100 per cent honest.
"Last time I stood up and admitted it and I took it and I was remorseful."
Collard is currently serving a two-game ban for striking Frankston gun Jackson Voss.
Selected with pick 28 in the 2023 National Draft, Collard has played 15 AFL matches, but has failed to appear at the top level this season.
