Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
The AFL Appeal Board has caused a stir in the football world by significantly reducing the Lance Collard AFL Ban on Thursday night.
St Kilda Saints successfully argued that the initial nine week suspension for a homophobic slur was "manifestly excessive" and risked ending the young forward's career.
The board opted for a four week total ban, with two of those weeks suspended until 2027, despite this being the second such incident for the player.
While legal battles continue off the field, fans are also keeping an eye on major player milestones across the league.
Shock at the Reduction
The decision to cut the penalty sparked immediate backlash from veteran journalists and former coaches who expected a firmer stance from the league.
Gerard Whateley expressed his disbelief on SEN, stating that the reduction “makes no sense whatsoever” given the repeat nature of the offense.
Former Port Adelaide Power coach Ken Hinkley also weighed in on the controversy, admitting he "can’t come to terms with the decision there."
Reasons for the Appeal Board Decision
The panel, which included former Richmond Tigers player Stephen Jurica, took less than 20 minutes to decide that a nine week stint on the sidelines would be "crippling."
Will Houghton KC noted that while the AFL is working to eliminate such language, the penalty must not be life altering for the athlete.
The board cited several factors for the leniency, including Lance Collard's age and the fact that he was being "jostled, roughed up and verbally challenged" before the slur.
They also observed that the opponent involved was not personally offended by the remark during the heat of the game.
St Kilda Saints Reaction
St Kilda Saints released a statement welcoming the reduction while acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter for the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities.
The club believes that "greater consistency and clarity in the AFL’s Tribunal process is important moving forward" to avoid such prolonged public debates.
Lance Collard will serve a total of four weeks, including a separate ban for striking, before he is eligible to return to the field.
For more updates on league rulings, check the official AFL news feed.