Bruhn, 23, was revealed as the player who spent the 2025 season fighting the charges, after a suppression order banning the publication of his name was lifted – at his request. He had applied for the media blackout earlier this year on the basis that it was needed to protect his safety.
Legal teams for Bruhn and Sinnott now say they are assessing their legal options and called on those responsible for the false prosecution to be “held responsible”.
Bruhn (far left) with his Geelong teammates on the ground after the team’s grand final loss in September.Credit: Getty Images
His co-accused and close friend, Sinnott, also tried but failed to have his name withheld. The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the pair were former housemates who had known each other since primary school.
The alleged victim in the case was to provide evidence at a preliminary hearing this week, but prosecutors told the court that charges against the pair would be dropped.
Dermot Dann, KC, for Bruhn, told the court the case had been “a horrible stain on the criminal justice system”.
Co-accused Patrick Sinnott arrives at court, where his case along with Tanner Bruhn for rape has been dropped.Credit: Justin McManus
“When it came to these allegations … the complainant admitted she had lied,” he said.
“It was a case where Mr Bruhn’s liberty has been put in jeopardy, his career put in jeopardy. He’s been to hell and back.”
Dann said his client, who appeared via videolink, had also been attacked on social media, despite the court order preventing him from being identified publicly.
“Those people who did attack him on social media, we say should step away from their keyboards and hang their heads in shame because they failed to adhere to or respect … the presumption of innocence,” he told the court.
“Thereafter anyone who wants to comment on this case, should do so on understanding that Mr Bruhn was presumed innocent … he should be regarded now and forever as someone who was 100 per cent innocent.”
The AFL confirmed in a statement it had stood Bruhn down from participating in both the AFL and VFL for the 2025 season after learning of the criminal charges early this year.
Alley Cats strip club in Geelong now goes by the name After Dark.Credit: Justin McManus
Moya O’Brien, for Sinnott, said her client and his family had borne the brunt of publicity about the case while Bruhn’s name remained suppressed.
Outside court, lawyer Anna Balmer spoke on Bruhn’s behalf, saying he wanted those responsible for the failed prosecution to be held to account.
“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 has been horrible. He’s understandably upset.
“Tanner wants to put this … behind him and get on with his future. He’ll comment himself in due course.”
Holly Boylan, for Sinnott, read a statement on her client’s behalf saying he hoped it marked the end of a difficult chapter and the case had had a deep and far-reaching impact on him and his family.
The court had already heard that the two men met the complainant at Geelong’s Alley Cat strip club at about 4am on February 5, 2023.
They were then accused of coaxing the woman into her car, before driving off and allegedly raping her in a bottle shop carpark in Belmont, in Geelong’s south.
Bruhn’s lawyer Anna Balmer speaking to media next to co-accused Patrick Sinnott.Credit: Justin McManus
However, two witnesses gave evidence that the woman had lied about the alleged attack, telling the court they were told that the men had paid the woman for sexual services but, after she demanded more money and they refused, she had reported the interaction as rape.
“[I concluded that] if she consented and requested payment for services, she provided consent; therefore it is not right … if she then reported it as rape – that would be lying to the police,” one of them said.
Sinnott and Bruhn were charged with several counts of sexual assault, including rape, but have always maintained their innocence.
Martin’s evidence sank the case against the pair, with Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir ordering the chief commissioner to pay both men’s costs, which O’Brien told the court were “significant”.
The complainant cannot be named for legal reasons.
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