Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn can now be publicly named as the player who spent the entire 2025 season facing rape allegations, with the court case against him officially dropped on Tuesday.
A suppression order had prevented Bruhn, 23, from being named throughout the season, during which he did not play at any level due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
The media blackout was sought by Bruhn to protect his safety.
The case was dismissed after a key witness admitted to lying, which led to the broad understanding that the charges against the high-profile athlete would be dropped as of October 1
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This followed a two-day preliminary hearing at Geelong Magistrates’ Court, which examined whether there was sufficient evidence for Bruhn and a second accused, his friend Patrick Sinnott, to stand trial.
Both Sinnott and Bruhn faced multiple sexual assault charges, including rape, which they have consistently denied.
Tanner Bruhn (far left, standing) pictured on the MCG after Geelong’s 2025 Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Lions.Source: Getty Images
Bruhn was interviewed by Victoria Police in October of last over his knowledge of the allegations, and was released without arrest pending further investigation.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark reported on Tuesday afternoon that Bruhn spent time this year working on a farm in country Victoria, completing basic farming tasks to help take himself away from the footballing spotlight.
Bruhn played 66 AFL games in his first four seasons at the top level, 30 of which were at the GWS Giants before moving to the Cats.