St Kilda Star Faces Double Trouble After VFL Incidents
St Kilda forward Lance Collard is facing a significant period away from the field following a tumultuous VFL outing on Friday night. The 21-year-old is reportedly under scrutiny from the AFL’s integrity unit for an alleged homophobic slur made during the match, compounding the issues with a separate incident involving a swinging arm that triggered a full-blown melee.
The dual disciplinary threats come at a critical juncture for Collard, who has already served a substantial suspension for similar conduct earlier in his career.
Allegations Surface from Friday Night’s Fixture
Reports indicate that Collard is set to face the AFL integrity unit following allegations of a homophobic slur being uttered during the VFL game against Frankston. This serious accusation, if proven, could lead to severe repercussions.
Adding to his woes, Collard will also be reviewed by the Match Review Officer (MRO) for a forceful swinging arm that connected with the head of Frankston player Jackson Voss. This particular action is understood to have been the catalyst for a heated all-in brawl that erupted between the two teams.
A History of Similar Offences
This is not the first time Collard has found himself in hot water for discriminatory language. In 2024, the young Saint was handed a six-game ban after admitting to using homophobic slurs during a VFL match against Williamstown. The incident at the time was described as “directing unprompted and highly offensive homophobic slurs” towards two opposing players.
Following that suspension, Collard issued a public apology, expressing deep remorse for his actions. “I am incredibly remorseful for my comments and any hurt they may have caused,” he stated at the time. “What I did doesn’t represent my values, or the values of the club. I have apologised to the Williamstown players who were impacted by my behaviour, and unreservedly reiterate that apology to anyone else my conduct affected.”
Club and League Respond
St Kilda Football Club has acknowledged the situation, releasing a statement on Saturday confirming their awareness of the alleged incident. The club has stated they are cooperating fully with the AFL Integrity Unit’s investigation.
“St Kilda Football Club is aware of an alleged incident involving one of its players during last night’s VFL match against Frankston,” the statement read. “The club takes matters of this nature extremely seriously and is working closely with the AFL Integrity Unit as it conducts its investigation into the matter. While this process is underway, it would be inappropriate for the club to comment further.”
The VFL has also confirmed its involvement, stating: “The VFL is aware of an incident during Friday night’s match between Frankston and St Kilda and is investigating the matter.”
The Swinging Arm Incident
While the investigation into the alleged slur unfolds, Collard is also facing a likely multi-week ban for the swinging arm that connected with Jackson Voss’s head. The impact left Voss visibly distressed and requiring assessment from the Frankston team doctor. The incident immediately drew the attention of teammates, who converged on Collard, sparking the subsequent all-in melee.
The exact timing of when the alleged homophobic slur was made in relation to the swinging arm incident remains unclear.
Family Connections and Career Snapshot
Jackson Voss is not only a player for Frankston but also has strong ties to the AFL. He is the son of former St Kilda great Brett Voss, who amassed 135 games for the club, and the nephew of current Carlton coach Michael Voss.
Lance Collard joined St Kilda as pick 28 in the 2023 AFL draft, graduating from West Coast’s academy. He has played 15 games for the Saints since his arrival, with 12 of those appearances coming in the 2025 season. However, he is yet to make his senior AFL debut in 2026. Collard is currently contracted to St Kilda until the end of the 2027 season.
AFL’s Stance on Homophobic Slurs
The AFL has demonstrated a firm stance against homophobic slurs in recent years, implementing significant penalties for such offences. Notable examples include:
- Izak Rankine: The Adelaide star received a four-game ban late in the 2025 season for a homophobic slur, which saw him miss his club’s finals campaign.
- Riak Andrew: A Sydney Swans rookie was suspended for similar conduct.
- Jack Graham: West Coast’s midfielder also faced a ban.
- Wil Powell: The Gold Coast defender was sanctioned for an offensive remark.
- Jeremy Finlayson: Port Adelaide forward was also suspended across the 2024 and 2025 seasons for homophobic language.
The ongoing investigations into Collard’s actions will undoubtedly be closely watched, with the potential for significant consequences for the young forward’s career.
