tanner bruhn

Geelong's Tanner Bruhn Cleared: How Sexual Assault Charges Were Dropped After Witness Admitted Lying

After more than a year of uncertainty that saw him miss the entire 2025 AFL season, Geelong Cats midfielder Tanner Bruhn has been formally cleared of serious sexual assault charges. Prosecutors dismissed the case after a key witness admitted to lying about crucial details, bringing a sensational end to a legal battle that remained hidden from the public until now.

Main Narrative: The Secret Battle of an AFL Star

For over twelve months, the AFL community was left guessing. Tanner Bruhn, a talented 23-year-old midfielder for the Geelong Cats, vanished from the field at the start of the 2025 season. While fans and pundits speculated about injuries or potential trade moves, the reality was far darker and more complex.

Bruhn and his friend, Patrick Sinnott, had been quietly charged with rape and intentional sexual touching following an alleged incident in a car. The accusations were serious, the potential consequences career-ending, and the silence surrounding his absence was deafening. For a player who had shown immense promise in the red and white hoops, his future hung in the balance.

The case, however, took a dramatic and unexpected turn. What began as a prosecution based on witness testimony unraveled when that very testimony was revealed to be false.

According to reports from the Geelong Magistrates Court, the case against the two men collapsed when the complainant's key witness admitted he had lied. This admission fundamentally undermined the prosecution's case, leading to the formal withdrawal of all charges.

"Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Geelong AFL player Tanner Bruhn and his co-accused after alleging they raped a woman in a car." — ESPN

The revelation brings to a close a period of intense personal and professional turmoil for Bruhn. He is now free to return to training and is eligible for selection for the 2026 AFL season.

Recent Updates: The Timeline of a Legal Collapse

The resolution of this case has been swift, though the lead-up was prolonged. Here is a breakdown of the crucial developments based on verified news reports from the ABC, News.com.au, and The Age.

The Initial Allegations and Charges

The incident allegedly occurred in late 2024. Police investigations led to charges being filed against Tanner Bruhn and Patrick Sinnott early in 2025. The charges included rape and intentional sexual touching. Due to the nature of the allegations, Bruhn’s identity was initially suppressed by the court, though this suppression was later lifted by the prosecution.

The 2025 Season in Limbo

As the legal process began, Geelong Cats made the decision to stand Bruhn down from all club activities. He missed the entirety of the 2025 AFL season. During this time, the club and the AFL maintained a strict code of silence regarding the specific reasons for his absence, citing legal processes and privacy.

The Courtroom Revelation

The turning point came during a hearing at the Geelong Magistrates Court on November 10, 2025. The court heard that a key witness, who had provided evidence supporting the allegations, had recanted their story.

In a stunning admission, the witness confessed to lying about specific details of the evening. This included false statements about the behavior of Bruhn and Sinnott at a strip club, where they were allegedly "combative" with bouncers.

"HR: Just to be clear, paragraph 19 (of the witness statement) reads 'They (co-accused) were being a bit combative to the bouncers (at the strip club). They were saying they had money to spend and wanted to be let in'. That's false? HM: That's false." — Court Transcript Excerpt reported by The Age

Prosecution Withdraws Charges

Upon learning of the false testimony, the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the case and determined there was no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction. They formally discontinued the case, and the rape and sexual touching charges were withdrawn.

Geelong Cats released a brief statement acknowledging the conclusion of the legal proceedings and confirming Bruhn's return to the club.

Contextual Background: The Intersection of Sport, Privacy, and Justice

This case highlights several complex issues relevant to the Australian sporting landscape and the justice system.

The "Suppressed Identity" Protocol

In Australia, the identities of individuals accused of sexual offenses are often suppressed by courts to ensure a fair trial and protect the rights of the accused until proven guilty. However, this creates a unique scenario in the high-pressure world of professional sports.

During the 2025 season, fans and media were aware that Bruhn was missing, but the club cited "personal reasons." This created a vacuum of information that was inevitably filled with speculation. The decision to eventually lift the suppression order was a significant moment, signaling the gravity of the charges, even before the details of the witness admission came to light.

The Impact on the Geelong Cats

Bruhn is not just a fringe player; he is a highly-rated midfielder drafted with pick No. 17 in the 2020 AFL Draft. He has shown flashes of elite talent, known for his speed, agility, and clean ball use.

Losing a player of his caliber for an entire season undoubtedly impacted Geelong's midfield structure. However, the club's handling of the situation—prioritizing the legal process while supporting the player—demonstrates the modern approach AFL clubs take toward off-field issues. They have waited for the legal system to run its course before making decisions on his future.

The Nature of Witness Reliability

The specific detail regarding the witness lying about the strip club incident is a critical piece of context. In sexual assault cases, witness testimony is often the cornerstone of the prosecution's case. When that testimony is proven to be fabricated, it not only collapses the specific case but also raises broader questions about the motivations behind such accusations.

It is important to note that while the witness admitted to lying about specific details, the legal system functioned exactly as it should in this instance: charges were only dropped once the evidence was found to be unreliable.

Immediate Effects: What This Means for Bruhn and Geelong

The immediate aftermath of the dropped charges is a return to normalcy, albeit a highly scrutinized one.

Return to the Field

The most significant immediate effect is Tanner Bruhn's eligibility to play. He is expected to return to pre-season training with the Geelong Cats immediately. After a year away from the game, his physical fitness and match conditioning will be the primary focus for the coaching staff.

Reputational Recovery

While legally cleared, the stigma of such accusations can be difficult to shake entirely. Bruhn and his management will likely focus on his performance and professional conduct moving forward. The public narrative is now shifting from "accused" to "exonerated," a process aided by the clear reporting on the witness's admission of lying.

Club Stability

For Geelong, they regain a valuable asset. The club can now plan its 2026 campaign with Bruhn in its midfield rotations. The uncertainty that plagued the club's list management strategy for 2025 has been removed.

Future Outlook: A Career Back on Track

Looking ahead, the future for Tanner Bruhn is bright, provided he can overcome the mental hurdles of the past year.

Reclaiming a Career Trajectory

Bruhn was on a trajectory to become a best-22 midfielder for Geelong. His 2024 form was solid, and many expected a breakout 2025 season. Now, he enters 2026 with a "lost year" to make up for. At 23, he is still young enough to have a long and successful career, but he will need to work hard to regain his match fitness and confidence.

The Broader Conversation on Privacy

This case may reignite conversations in the AFL industry about how to handle players facing serious legal allegations. The tension between public interest, a player's right to privacy, and the club's need for transparency is difficult to balance.

However, the outcome of the Bruhn case serves as a stark reminder of the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." The system protected his identity initially, and the judicial process correctly identified the lack of credible evidence, allowing him to return to his life and career.

Conclusion

The story of Tanner Bruhn’s 2025 season is one of silence, stress, and eventual vindication. While the legal cloud has lifted, the experience serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of reputation. For Geelong fans, the wait is over, and they can look forward to seeing one of their young stars back on the pitch, fighting for the footy, and moving past a year that tested him far beyond the boundaries of the AFL field.