Gold Coast ruckman Max Knobel is under AFL investigation for allegedly using a homophobic slur during a VFL match on Saturday.
The Suns have confirmed the incident and are cooperating with the league’s investigation.
Max Knobel in 2025. Getty
“The Gold Coast Suns are aware of an incident involving one of its players in Saturday’s VFL match against the Brisbane Lions,” a club statement provided to Nine.com.au said.
“The club is currently cooperating fully with the AFL’s Integrity Unit as part of an ongoing investigation.”
The Age is reporting that the 21-year-old is “extremely remorseful” and self-reported the incident.
Knobel is the son of former Brisbane, St Kilda and Richmond player Trent Knobel, who played 75 AFL games between 2000 and 2007.
Standing at 206cm, he was initially drafted by Fremantle with pick 42 in 2022, before joining Gold Coast in 2024. He is yet to make his AFL debut.
If punished, it will be the eighth time an AFL player has been suspended for using a homophobic slur since the start of 2024.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard (twice), Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finalyson, Adelaide’s Izak Rankine, Sydney’s Riak Andrew, Gold Coast’s Wil Powell, West Coast’s Jack Graham and most recently Brisbane’s Koby Evans have all been previously banned for it.
Evans, who self-reported and admitted remorse, received a four-game ban in May.
Collard meanwhile denied he ever said the slur and ultimately was suspended just two games after multiple hearings back in April.
Gold Coast was beaten by crosstown rivals Brisbane on Saturday afternoon, and now prepares to take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
After a strong start to the season, they haven’t won a game since the start of May and now face the Cats, Hawks and Dockers in successive weeks.