The AFL's Integrity arm is reportedly investigating allegations of homophobic comments used by St Kilda player Lance Collard during a VFL game over the weekend.
The incident in question is alleged to have occurred during Saturday's game between St Kilda's affiliate side Sandringham and standalone club Williamstown at DSV Stadium, perย News Corp.
The publication's report has revealed the AFL Integrity Unit has begun investigating after the VFL was made aware of claims of abuse used by Collard toward two Williamstown players, who are being interviewed by the league.
Homophic slurs have seen two AFL players handed lengthy suspensions in 2024, with Gold Coast's Wil Powell hit with a five-game ban for making a homophobic comment during his side's game against Brisbane in Round 8.
Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson was suspended for three matches after making a homophobic slur toward an Essendon player in Round 4.
While also found guilty of conduct unbecoming, Powell's increased suspension came after the league "foreshadowed" higher consequences for similar actions to Finalyson's would be handed down.
"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,"ย AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said at the time of Powell's ban.
"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."
Collard has played three games for St Kilda since being drafted in the first round of last year's National Draft, with his debut coming in the Saints' season opener against Geelong. His most recent appearance came in Round 11 against Melbourne.
The young forward has played 11 games for Sandringham in 2024, booting 15 goals and averaging over seven disposals per game.
