St Kilda will appeal Lance Collard's nine-week suspension for a homophobic slur as the young forward maintains his innocence, the club has confirmed.

Collard was handed the AFL Disciplinary Tribunal's sanction earlier this week following two hearings, where Frankston's teammates gave evidence and Collard denied using a slur during the Saints' round two VFL match.

Two weeks of the nine-week ban are suspended for 2026 and 2027.

He was already facing two weeks for high contact made during the game.

It was Collard's second instance of being found guilty of breaching league conduct rules, having received a six-week ban in 2024 for a similar slur.

"As a club, we will continue to stand by Lance, who maintains his position of innocence. This process has had a considerable impact on Lance, and we are committed to ensuring he is not only supported but that his integrity is defended through the appropriate process," St Kilda said in a statement on Friday.

"We also recognise and empathise with the impact the ongoing and public nature of this matter has had, particularly on members of the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities."

The Saints will not make further comment at this time, with a date for the appeal hearing not yet confirmed.

Through hearings, both the tribunal and St Kilda's legal counsel make points regarding difficult circumstances Collard faced growing up.

The impact which a guilty verdict could have on his career was also raised.

Points were also made about the seriousness of homophobic slurs being unacceptable in the game, and that it was Collard's second charge for the offence.

Collard has repeatedly denied using a slur, and that he instead said "Come here, maggot", to Frankston player Darby Hipwell.