St Kilda forward Lance Collard has received a nine-week suspension, with two of those weeks deferred, following his use of a homophobic slur directed at a VFL rival.

After a thorough review of testimony from both the AFL and St Kilda, the AFL Tribunal took more than 90 minutes to reach its decision. Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson emphasized that “homophobic slurs are completely unacceptable.”

Collard’s past behavior and lack of remorse resulted in him not receiving any reduction in his suspension period.

The two-week suspension will be held in abeyance for the upcoming two seasons of both the AFL and VFL.