Gold Coast's Wil Powell has been handed a five-game suspension for making a homophobic slur during last Sunday's QClash against Brisbane.

Powell has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming for the first-quarter incident.

A month prior, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was found to have made a homophobic slur during a game against Essendon and was subsequently handed a three-game suspension.

Following a recent AFL Integrity Unit investigation, Powell has been handed a longer ban. The AFL expressed its disappointment with the Suns backman's actions following the recent Finlayson incident.

"It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks," AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a league statement.

"The AFL acknowledges Powell's remorse and cooperation, and while it has considered the circumstances in which the comment was made, there are no excuses for this conduct in our game.

"We foreshadowed both publicly and privately that after what transpired at Gather Round if a similar incident was to happen there would be further consequence.

"There could be no clearer message - homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society. We want all people in the community to feel welcomed in our game and comments such as Powell's only takes away from this. As a code, as a community, we all must be better."

Speaking via a club statement, Powell said he has apologised to the Lions player involved and has taken full responsibly for his actions.

“As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I knew I had made a terrible mistake,” Powell said.

“I have offered my apology to the Brisbane player and would like to publicly apologise for my comment. I will take full responsibility for what I said.

“I know there is no place for comments of that nature and I will accept the repercussions for my actions. I should have known better and I need to prove this with my actions moving forward.”

The Suns also released the following video in the wake of Powell's penalty, were the 24-year-old said he is "extremely sorry".

Powell will not be able to play in the AFL until Round 15, with the ban running until a week before the Suns' Round 14 bye. He is also unable to feature in the VFL until his ban is served.