AFL Pride Game Participants Changed After Disciplinary Action Over Homophobic Language

May 13, 2026, 20:54
AustraliaSports

Introduction

The Sydney Swans have decided to replace St Kilda as their opponent for the annual Pride Game, moving the event to a match against the Western Bulldogs.

Main Body

This change was caused by the disciplinary issues surrounding St Kilda player Lance Collard. Mr. Collard used homophobic slurs during a VFL game for the second time and was originally given a seven-match suspension. After an appeal, this penalty was reduced to a two-week suspension, with another two weeks suspended. Furthermore, the situation became more controversial when the AFL dismissed appeal board chair Will Houghton KC, who had claimed that such language is "commonplace" in the sport. Consequently, the Sydney Swans have ended their partnership with St Kilda for the 2026 Pride Game, a relationship that had lasted since 2016. The Swans' management emphasized that this shift was necessary to maintain the positive focus on the LGBTIQA+ community. Although St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena suggested that participating would have been a good opportunity for education and inclusion, the club accepted the decision due to the public reaction and the impact on LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities. As a result, the game has been moved from round 13 to round 17.

Conclusion

St Kilda will no longer be the partner for the Pride Game, and the event will now take place during the Sydney Swans' match against the Western Bulldogs.

Learning

The Logic of 'Cause and Effect' (Connecting Your Ideas)

At the A2 level, you likely use because or so for everything. To move toward B2, you need a 'toolbox' of connectors that signal a result without sounding like a beginner.

Look at these three power-words from the text:

  1. Consequently →\rightarrow Used to show a direct result of a previous action.

    • Text: "Consequently, the Sydney Swans have ended their partnership..."
    • B2 Tip: Start your sentence with this word and follow it with a comma. It sounds professional and organized.

  2. As a result →\rightarrow A stronger way to say 'so'.

    • Text: "As a result, the game has been moved..."
    • B2 Tip: Use this when one specific event triggers another specific change.

  3. Due to →\rightarrow This replaces 'because of'.

    • Text: "...the club accepted the decision due to the public reaction..."
    • B2 Tip: Unlike 'because', due to is followed by a noun (a thing), not a full sentence.
      • ❌ Wrong: Due to it was raining...
      • ✅ Right: Due to the rain...

Quick Upgrade Table

A2 (Basic)B2 (Bridge)Why it's better
So...Consequently...It links paragraphs logically.
Because of...Due to...It is more concise and formal.
And then...As a result...It shows why something happened, not just when.

Vocabulary Learning

disciplinary
Relating to punishment or rules for misconduct
Example:The coach issued a disciplinary warning to the player who broke team rules.
suspension
A period of time when someone is not allowed to participate in an activity
Example:The player received a two‑week suspension for using inappropriate language.
appeal
A formal request to a higher authority to change a decision
Example:After the initial ruling, the team filed an appeal to reduce the penalty.
penalty
A punishment imposed for breaking a rule or law
Example:The penalty for the offense was a seven‑match ban.
controversial
Causing disagreement or debate among people
Example:The decision was controversial, sparking heated discussions on social media.
dismissed
Rejected or removed from consideration
Example:The board dismissed the chair's claim after reviewing the evidence.
claim
To state something as true, often without proof
Example:He claimed that the language was commonplace in the sport.
commonplace
Ordinary, everyday, or widely accepted
Example:The term is considered commonplace among fans of the game.
maintain
To keep or preserve something in its current state
Example:The club aims to maintain a positive focus on the community.
opportunity
A chance to do something or achieve a goal
Example:The event was seen as an opportunity for education and inclusion.