Overview
- Sydney confirmed Wednesday it removed the Pride Game label from Round 13 vs St Kilda and reassigned the 2026 event to Round 17 vs the Western Bulldogs at the SCG.
- The club said it acted after consulting the Rainbow Swans supporter group, Pride Cup, community members and St Kilda to keep the focus on a positive experience for LGBTIQA+ fans.
- The change follows the Lance Collard case, where he was found guilty of using a homophobic slur in a VFL match that he and the Saints deny, with a nine-game ban reduced to four matches with two suspended on appeal.
- After that appeal, the AFL dismissed Appeals Board chair Will Houghton KC and CEO Andrew Dillon publicly rejected the board’s reasoning that discriminatory on-field language is commonplace.
- St Kilda said it understands the decision and restated its inclusion work, and the move ends a Pride Game link the clubs began in 2016 as Sydney turns to a Bulldogs side known for Pride initiatives.