In short:

Lance Collard is alleged to have used a homophobic slur during a VFL match.

Collard was banned for six matches for using a homophobic slur in 2024.

What's next?

A disciplinary tribunal hearing will be held next week.

St Kilda forward Lance Collard will front a disciplinary tribunal hearing next week after he allegedly used a homophobic slur during a VFL match.

The AFL has investigated the allegation levelled against Collard stemming from a heated exchange in last week's VFL match against Frankston.

The allegation comes less than two years after Collard served a six-match ban for the same offence.

The 21-year-old will front the disciplinary tribunal hearing with his future at the Saints on thin ice.

Earlier this week, Collard was slapped with a three-week ban — reduced to two with an early guilty plea — for a high hit on an opponent in the same match he allegedly said the homophobic slur.

Collard's swinging arm to the head of his opponent sparked an on-field melee.

But it is the alleged homophobic slur that looms as the most serious charge.

It has been reported Collard has told AFL investigators he did not use a homophobic slur.

Collard's 2024 ban came while he was playing for VFL side Sandringham, then affiliated with the Saints.

It was among several cases of homophobic slurs that prompted an AFL crackdown.

Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine was banned for four AFL matches late last season following an incident against Collingwood.

AAP