The AFL has been slammed by the players’ union for standing down Geelong Cats midfielder Tanner Bruhn for the whole of the 2025 season.
After it emerged on Tuesday that a key witness lied to police when he claimed that Bruhn had sexually assaulted a woman, the AFL Players’ Association described the call to sideline him as “disproportionate” and “premature” in the circumstances.
The AFLPA had unsuccessfully lobbied the AFL to waive the stand down order earlier in the year.
Bruhn’s legal team including prominent KC Dermott Dann are also assessing whether to take further action over the false allegations through the courts.
Bruhn, 23, was forced to sit out the entire season as his team made the grand final, but is free to join his teammates for preseason training on November 24 after the charges were sensationally dropped on Tuesday.
It comes as an enormous relief to the former GWS Giant who has been devastated by the allegations and worked as a farm hand this season to help escape the football spotlight.
The Herald Sun can reveal the midfielder completed basic tasks on a rural property in country Victoria and has been able to do some training.
He also recently completed an intensive training program at Gold Coast with a fitness coach as he battles to make up for lost time.
He is desperate to reignite his AFL career and put a year-long court battle behind him.
The AFLPA has now issued a stringing rebuke against the league over the way it has handled his case.
“Tanner was entitled to the presumption of innocence from the outset and throughout,” the Players’ Association statement said.
“It was clear to us that standing Tanner down would be premature and disproportionate.”
The AFL has defended its decision despite not having stood down any other footballers who have recently faced, or are facing, criminal charges.
“The AFL confirms that, following notification in early 2025 of several criminal charges being brought against Geelong Football Club player, Tanner Bruhn, that Mr Bruhn was stood down by the AFL from playing pending the hearing and determination of those charges,” the statement said.
“Mr Bruhn was stood down from playing at any level of Australian Football (including AFL and VFL), which remained in place until the charges were withdrawn, which formally occurred in court today.”
Bruhn’s agent, Paul Connors from CDG Sports, said Bruhn was keen to return to the field following a stressful season on the sidelines dealing with the protracted court battle.
Connors said Bruhn was as ready as he could be to begin preseason training.
“After an extremely challenging year, Tanner is eager to put this nightmare behind him and focus on reigniting his football career,” Connors told the Herald Sun.
“The Geelong Football Club has been amazing in its support and in particular (player development and wellbeing manager) Mark Worthington, who has been a rock for him throughout the entire process.
“Tanner is very grateful for the support he has received from the club and the AFL Players’ Association this year.”
Bruhn has also been limited in his ability to use the club’s facilities because of the AFL’s stand down order.
It is understood he was at the club doing some training last week.
He is expected to participate in the club’s practice matches in February next year in an attempt to press for selection in the early rounds, but the Cats will not hurry him back after a year out.
A Geelong statement said Bruhn would return to the club for the start of pre-season.
“Until today, a court imposed suppression order has been in place for the duration of these legal proceedings prohibiting any public comment,” it said.
“While legal proceedings have been ongoing, the club has provided professional welfare to Tanner during this time and will continue to do so.
“Tanner will return to the football program for the start of pre-season training.”
The Players’ Association said it was time to address the AFL’s disciplinary code.
“The Collective Bargaining Agreement requires the AFL and AFLPA to resolve a Code of Conduct including proper processes and a sanctioning framework,” the statement said.
“This unfortunate set of circumstances is further evidence that such a framework is critical for the game. We remain committed to this work in the best interests of the players and Australian football.
“The AFLPA welcomes today’s confirmation that charges against Tanner Bruhn have been dropped.
“The AFLPA has supported Tanner throughout this long and flawed process alongside his manager Paul Connors, his legal team led by Anna Balmer, and the Geelong Football Club, who have all been exemplary in their care for Tanner.”
The stand down order was implemented by the league after he was charged in March this year following an interview with police about the incident on September 26, 2024.
Bruhn was seen out on the field for the first time this year to commiserate with his Geelong teammates following their grand final loss to Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
But the 66-gamer was forced to watch the Cats’ September campaign from afar after being unable to play a single game this year due to the ban.
Worthington and Connors have accompanied Bruhn throughout the court process.
The man taken with the 12th pick in the 2020 national draft averaged 17 disposals, five clearances and four clearances a game in 2024.