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Charges Against Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn Dropped as Court Lifts Name Suppression

The outcome intensifies scrutiny of the AFL’s discretionary stand-down approach, which sidelined Bruhn for the entire 2025 season.

Overview

  • Prosecutors withdrew all charges against Tanner Bruhn and co-accused Patrick Sinnott in Geelong Magistrates’ Court after a key witness admitted lying during the committal.
  • Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir ordered the chief commissioner of Victoria Police to pay the men’s legal costs.
  • A court suppression order that had concealed Bruhn’s identity for about nine months was lifted, allowing full reporting of the case.
  • The AFL confirmed its stand-down has ended, and Geelong said Bruhn will return to the club’s program for the start of pre-season training.
  • The AFL Players’ Association condemned the stand-down as “premature and disproportionate” and urged a clearer sanctioning framework for future cases.