Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn revealed as player cleared of rape charge
Bruhn, 23, was revealed to be the player who spent the 2025 season fighting the charges after a restraining order prohibiting his name from being published was lifted at his request. Earlier this year, it imposed a media blackout on the grounds that it was necessary to protect its security.
Bruhn and Sinnott’s legal teams said they were now considering their legal options and called on those responsible for the false investigation to be “held accountable”.
Bruhn (far left) on the ground with his Geelong teammates following the team’s grand final defeat in September.Credit: Getty Images
His accomplice and close friend Sinnott also tried unsuccessfully to remain anonymous. Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the pair were former housemates who had known each other since primary school.
The alleged victim in the case was supposed to give evidence at a preliminary hearing this week, but prosecutors told the court the charges against the pair would be dropped.
Dermot Dann, KC, for Bruhn, told the court the case was a “terrible stain on the criminal justice system”.
Co-defendant Patrick Sinnott arrives in court, where the rape case is dismissed along with Tanner Bruhn.Credit: Justin McManus
“When it came to these allegations… the complainant admitted that he lied,” he said.
“This was a case where Mr. Bruhn’s freedom was compromised, his career was compromised. He’s been to hell and back.”
Dann said his client, who appeared via video link, was also attacked on social media despite a court order preventing his identity from being made public.
“We say that those who attack him on social media should step away from their keyboards and hang their heads in shame for not abiding by or respecting the presumption of innocence,” he told the court.
“Anyone who wishes to comment on this case from now on should do so with the understanding that Mr. Bruhn is presumed innocent… he must be viewed as 100 percent innocent now and forever.”
The AFL confirmed in a statement that it had blocked Bruhn from joining both the AFL and VFL for the 2025 season after learning of the criminal charges earlier this year.
The Alley Cats strip club in Geelong is now called After Dark.Credit: Justin McManus
Moya O’Brien, for Sinnott, said her client and his family had borne the brunt of the publicity surrounding the case, but Bruhn’s name remained anonymous.
Speaking on Bruhn’s behalf before the court, lawyer Anna Balmer said she wanted those responsible for the botched investigation to be held accountable.
“We should all hope that Victoria Police properly investigates what appears to be an attempt to pervert the course of justice,” Balmer said.
“The last year of Tanner’s life was terrible. He was understandably upset.
“Tanner… wants to put this behind him and move on with his future. He will comment when the time comes.”
Holly Boylan, for Sinnott, read a statement on behalf of her client and said she hoped it marked the end of a difficult chapter and that she hoped the case had had a deep and far-reaching impact on him and his family.
The court had already heard the two men met the complainant at Geelong’s Alley Cat strip club at around 4am on February 5, 2023.
They were accused of then coaxing the woman into his car, driving away and allegedly raping her in the car park of a bottle shop in Belmont, south of Geelong.
Bruhn’s lawyer, Anna Balmer, speaks to the media alongside co-defendant Patrick Sinnott.Credit: Justin McManus
But two witnesses testified that the woman lied about the alleged assault and told the court they were told the men had paid the woman for sexual services, but when she demanded more money and they refused, she reported the interaction as rape.
“[I concluded that] if he has given his consent and requested payment for services, he has given his consent; so it’s not true…if she later reports it as rape, that would be lying to the police,” one of them said.
Sinnott and Bruhn were accused of various sexual assault charges, including rape, but have always maintained their innocence.
Martin’s evidence sunk the case against the pair, with Judge Kimberley Swadesir ordering the superintendent to pay both men’s costs. O’Brien told the court it was “important”.
The complainant’s name cannot be determined for legal reasons.
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