Lance Collard’s Ban Reduced on Appeal After AFL Tribunal Deemed Sanction ‘Crippling’

St Kilda forward Lance Collard has had his suspension for using homophobic language significantly reduced following a successful appeal, with the AFL Appeals Board determining the original sanction would have been professionally devastating.

The Appeals Board, chaired by Will Houghton KC, reduced Collard’s ban from nine weeks (with two suspended) to four weeks (with two suspended) after finding the AFL Tribunal’s initial penalty was “manifestly excessive” and described it as “crippling” for the player’s career.

Appeals Board Cites Competitive Nature of Game in Reasoning

In its decision, the Appeals Board stated that the highly competitive nature of Australian Rules Football contributed to homophobic language being commonplace in the sport, a claim that has since drawn criticism from various quarters.

The board backed the AFL disciplinary tribunal’s finding that Collard was guilty of conduct unbecoming after calling a VFL opponent a homophobic slur during a match on March 27, 2026. However, it agreed with St Kilda’s argument that the initial seven-week ban (later adjusted to nine weeks with two suspended by the AFL Tribunal) was disproportionately severe.

Collard Faces Reduced Suspension with Conditions

As a result of the appeal, Collard will serve a two-week suspension immediately, with a further two-week ban suspended until the end of the 2026 season. He also received an additional two-week suspended penalty for a separate striking offence, meaning he will miss approximately four weeks of football in total before becoming eligible to return to play.

The AFL has confirmed it accepts the Appeals Board’s decision and considers the matter closed. Chairman Will Houghton KC acknowledged the league’s efforts to eliminate homophobic abuse but stressed that disciplinary action must not come at the cost of ending a player’s career.

“It is to the credit of the AFL and the tribunal that its efforts to eliminate [homophobic abuse] appear to be succeeding,” said Houghton. “However, that cannot be at the price of imposing what this board considers to be a crippling penalty on the appellant in this case.”

This marks the second time in three seasons that Collard has been found guilty of using homophobic language in a VFL match, though the reduced sanction reflects the Appeals Board’s view that lengthy bans risk disproportionately damaging players’ livelihoods.