St Kilda’s Lance Collard is in a “holding pattern” while awaiting sanction for another anti-gay slur, his coach Ross Lyon says.
Collard has been found guilty of using a slur against a VFL opponent, leaving his AFL career hanging in the balance.
Collard is waiting for a penalty from the AFL Tribunal, though the Saints have already flagged a possible appeal.
“I haven’t had a conversation. He’s in a holding pattern,” Lyon said of Collard after St Kilda’s 12.9 (81) to 9.13 (67) away win over Port Adelaide on Sunday night.
Collard denied calling a Frankston opponent a “f—-t” during a VFL match last month.
The 21-year-old, who was banned for six matches for using the same anti-gay word in 2024, attended a tribunal hearing last Thursday.
The tribunal’s deliberations stretched into Friday before a judgment was made public late that evening.
There will next be a hearing, on an as-yet unspecified day, to determine the sanction.
Last Thursday, the AFL pressed for a 10-week suspension, rather than a 10-match suspension.
But the case could drag on, with St Kilda considering options including a potential appeal.
“St Kilda Football Club is naturally disappointed with the decision handed down by the AFL disciplinary tribunal this afternoon,” the Saints said in a statement last Friday. “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.”
Collard insisted he said, “Come here, maggot”, to Frankston player Darby Hipwell.
But Hipwell told the hearing: “He had his head up against my ear and he said the words to me, ‘Darby, you ‘f—–g f—-t’.”
Collard, who has played 15 AFL games, will likely be sanctioned while Lyon and the bulk of St Kilda’s squad remain in Adelaide.
After downing Port, the Saints will remain in the South Australian capital until Saturday night’s clash against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
“We’ll stay for the week … that doesn’t come without challenge, but one we’ve embraced,” Lyon said.
“We have ticked the first leg, so to speak.”
