A teenage footy star is being investigated for an alleged homophobic slur during a VFL game on Saturday.
Brisbane draftee Koby Evans, 18, is alleged to have said the remark to a Coburg player, before officials were made aware of the comment.
According to Channel 7, the Lions youngster apologised both during and after the game.
Following the match, Brisbane and Coburg reportedly held talks, with the incident now in the hands of the AFL.
Brisbane is in open dialogue with both Coburg and the league — and will now await the outcome of the investigation.
A club statement obtained by Channel 7 said: “The club is aware of the incident and has been working with Coburg and the AFL on it.
“The club has confirmed the player has apologised multiple times — on field and again post match.
“The player is extremely remorseful and takes full responsibility.
“The club is disappointed the incident has occurred, while supporting and educating the player.”
While the AFL said: “We have been made aware of a matter arising from the VFL Round 6 match between Coburg and the Brisbane Lions, which has been referred to the AFL integrity unit.”
Half forward Evans has played five VFL games for Brisbane since being drafted as pick 38 in the 2025 AFL draft.
Last month, St Kilda’s Lance Collard was investigated by an AFL tribunal and handed a nine-game sanction for a homophobic slur — with two matches suspended.
The decision came after Collard had previously been banned for six games in 2024 for a first homophobic remark.
A number of other AFL players have also been banned for homophobic comments over the last three seasons — Adelaide’s Izak Rankine, Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson, West Coast’s Jack Graham, Gold Coast’s Wil Powell, and Sydney’s Riak Andrews.
