‘I never said it this time’: Collard denies using homophobic slur, faces wait on potential 10-week ban

St Kilda’s Lance Collard directed an alleged homophobic slur at Frankston opponent Darby Hipwell during a VFL match on March 27.

The AFL will announce their decision in relation to allegations St Kilda’s Lance Collard used a homophobic slur during a VFL match on Friday after failing to reach a decision by the 5pm deadline.

The disciplinary tribunal hearing lasted almost four hours and tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said, although they were close to a decision they were unable to deliver one and the accompanying reasons until Friday.

Sleepless night for a few people. It’s a fascinating case.

Therefore, the tribunal is set to publish written findings.

“We are confident that we’ll be able to deliver brief written reasons tomorrow,” said chairman Jeff Gleeson KC. “I can’t say what time, but we’re mindful of the fact that it’s Friday and the stresses that this places on everyone, this issue.”

We are in the weeds now. Michael Borsky KC arguing his client should have been charged under rule 35 rather than Rule 2.3 (a) (Conduct Unbecoming).

He says procedural fairness has been denied the player if the tribunal determined the charge should have been made under rule 35.

Andrew Woods SC says it would have been procedurally correct to raise that matter before it went to the tribunal than now after the evidence in the closing submission.

It is unclear why that distinction is being made.

There is a 5pm deadline which means a sanction may not be determined today.

Michael Borsky KC saying he would prefer it is decided today. The hearing has now been going for 3 hours and 18 minutes, with a five-minute break.

Greg Swann wants shorter games. I think he should attempt to reduce tribunal hearing length.

Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson KC wonders aloud whether he should see the AFL investigation documents in full after Michael Borsky KC said other people spoken to did not hear the alleged remarks.

There was also a question as to why the investigator’s interview of Frankston players wasn’t recorded.

The AFL spoke to 11 witness and some interviews were recorded and some weren’t.

“I am not enthusiastic about prolonging things,” Gleeson said.

Lance Collard could be suspended for 10 matches. He is contracted until 2027.

Darcy Hipwell and Bailey Lambert’s not being accused of giving false evidence but Michael Borsky KC suggesting that the Frankston players made a mistake in what they heard.