St Kilda Player Collard Suspended for Homophobic Slurs

St Kilda's Lance Collard, a first-year player, received a six-week ban for directing homophobic slurs at opponents during a VFL game, leading to mandatory Pride in Sport training. The AFL emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards homophobia, aiming to create a safe and inclusive environment. Collard's suspension is the longest among recent cases of homophobic language in the AFL, reflecting a growing effort to address such behavior. This incident highlights ongoing challenges within the league, with previous cases involving players like Wil Powell and Jeremy Finlayson facing suspensions for similar offenses. The AFL's Integrity Unit is actively investigating the matter, signaling a commitment to combat homophobia in the sport.