Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Geelong AFL player Tanner Bruhn after a crucial witness admitted to providing false evidence. It was affirmed in the Geelong Magistrates Court on 11 November 2025 and effectively brought the 22-year-old midfielder to a halt most of the 2025 season.
Tanner Bruhn pictured outside Geelong Magistrates’ Court as all charges against him were dropped
The reversal of the charges was occasioned by the fact that the witness during a prior hearing tested to the truth that some parts of their statement to police were false. The case was discontinued when the Office of Public Prosecutions reported to the court that there were no sufficient evidence to continue the case.
Criminal Case Dismissed Due to Witness Confession
The decision of the Tanner Bruhn charges was a few months after one of the witnesses who had testified against them withdrew his statement that was made in the initial investigation. Court records indicate that the witness, because of legal considerations he cannot be named, made up their initial version of the alleged assault.
Geelong Magistrates’ Court where prosecutors formally withdrew all charges against Tanner Bruhn
This confession undermined the credibility of the previous remarks, so prosecutors revisited the case. Having reconsidered the available evidence including video footage and forensic evidence, they concluded that there was no reasonable ground of conviction. The decision to continue the prosecution was arrived at through compliance with the evidentiary requirements in Victoria.
Background and Allegations of the Case
Earlier this year, Bruhn was accused of rape and other related crimes, which were claimed to happen in Geelong in 2023. These allegations revolved around an alleged incident that occurred in an parked car after a night out. It was claimed by the complainant that there was a non-consensual sex involving Bruhn and another man.
Bruhn defended himself all through the proceedings. His legal counsel claimed that the witness accounts had contradictions and there was no corresponding physical evidence. The case kept him out of the field during the whole 2025 AFL season as the case went through the courts.
Prosecution Decree and Court Verdict
On Tuesday, prosecutors stated that the trial in the case would not continue. The court was informed that the recanted evidence made their position unsustainable. The magistrate permitted the official dismissal of charges and the case was terminated.
An order that did not allow Bruhn to be publicly identified in the investigation was also reserved. The difference enabled the media houses to publish his name and report the end result of the case.
Response of AFL and Geelong Football Club
After the resolution of the court was made, AFL and Geelong Football club released short statements stating that the charges were withdrawn. Geelong stated that Bruhn would be allowed to start a full training with the team before the 2026 pre-season.
Bruhn is set to rejoin Geelong’s pre-season training following the withdrawal of charges
The AFL said Bruhn had followed integrity procedures of the league in the investigation. He had not been allowed to play under the stand-down policy of the league due to the charges but his playing status was reinstated on receiving the immediate notice of the termination of the case.
Career Prospects and Welfare of the players
Before the case, Bruhn, a young midfielder, had been seen as a promising player who joined Geelong in 2022 following a case of being traded by Greater Western Sydney. This protracted legal process and lack of competition impacted his playing and growth over the last one year.
Bruhn is set to rejoin Geelong’s pre-season training following the withdrawal of charges
His Tanner Bruhn charges have been dismissed, and he is likely to resume professional services under the club watching over his shoulders. According to Geelong officials, welfare and reintegration would be given priority to help him resume to play football. The club statement was thankful of the patience of the supporters throughout the proceedings.
Legal and Public Reactions
According to legal experts, the move to drop the charges was normal prosecutorial practice after the discovery of material evidence that was unsound. The Office of Public Prosecutions explained that its ruling was consistent with the need to only prosecute cases that have a high likelihood of conviction.
The reaction to the announcement by the members of the public and the larger community of the AFL was mixed. Some of them praised that Bruhn should have been relieved but others demanded to remain transparent on the process that resulted in his suspension and later clearance.
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The Future Proceedings and the Case Closure
No additional legal action is anticipated with Tanner Bruhn charges dismissed. The court affirmed that there was no conviction made and that the case was closed. Bruhn was not present in the hearing but had his counsel present.
The AFL Players Association indicated that it was going to review the policies relating to the suspension of players as the investigations continued. The association reiterated its interest to provide support to players in protecting their legal rights and being accountable in the sport.
Conclusion
The case under consideration of Tanner Bruhn ended at the point of the refusal to press charges by prosecutors because of unreliable witnesses. The Geelong midfielder can now be free to start his career with the AFL after being out of game almost one year. The ruling brings to a close a highly anticipated legal case that cast doubt on the handling of evidence, as well as the welfare of players in professional sport.
FAQs
- What led to the charges against Tanner Bruhn being dropped?
The charges were dropped after a key prosecution witness admitted to lying in a statement and under oath, which undermined the case.
- What charges were brought against Tanner Bruhn?
Bruhn and a co‑accused faced rape and sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged incident in February 2023.
- When were the charges against Tanner Bruhn formally withdrawn?
The charges were formally withdrawn in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 11 November 2025.
- What is Tanner Bruhn’s playing status now that the charges have been dropped?
With the case resolved, Bruhn is free to rejoin his club’s football program and resume pre‑season training.
- Was Tanner Bruhn’s identity suppressed during the proceedings?
Yes, a court‑imposed suppression order prevented reporting his name until the order was lifted after prosecutors applied to withdraw the charges.
- Which football club does Tanner Bruhn play for?
Tanner Bruhn plays for the Geelong Football Club in the AFL.
- Why was Tanner Bruhn stood down during the investigation?
The AFL placed him on a stand‑down while legal proceedings were pending, preventing him from playing at any level until the charges were resolved.
