Tanner Bruhn

Tanner Bruhn (born 27 May 2002) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by with the 12th draft pick in the 2020 AFL draft.

Early football Bruhn began his footballing career with the Newtown & Chilwell Football Club in the western suburbs of Geelong. He attended St Joseph’s College alongside future AFL players Ollie Henry and Charlie Lazzaro, before moving to Geelong Grammar on a scholarship in year 10. Bruhn played 55 matches with Newtown & Chilwell Football Club between 2013 and 2018. He played in the Firsts team at his school, Geelong Grammar School, where he won the best and fairest award in 2018 as a 16 year old. He played for Vic Country in the Under 16 Championships and won its MVP award and All-Australian title. His 2019 season saw him impacted by injury after hurting his knee, however he was fit enough to play a few matches with the Geelong Falcons in the NAB League, and Vic Country in the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships.

AFL career There was immediate controversy surrounding Bruhn's new career at the Giants after he was shown to have a 'solemn' reaction to being drafted by them on draft night. However, it was later explained by him that it was due to him having a rather 'reserved' personality, and being shocked.

Bruhn debuted for in the opening round of the 2021 AFL season. On debut, Bruhn collected 9 disposals, 2 tackles and 2 clearances. After only collecting 7 disposals the next week against , Bruhn was omitted from the team. Bruhn received a nomination for the Goal of the Year award after kicking a skilful goal in the eighth round of the season.

After the 2022 AFL season, Bruhn requested a trade to the newly-crowned premiers. Bruhn was traded for Geelong's first round draft pick on 7 October.

Bruhn made his debut for the Cats in their Round 1 game against Collingwood.

Ahead of a practice match in February 2025, Bruhn suffered a finger injury. He did not play any matches in the 2025 AFL season.

Personal life In October 2024, Bruhn was interviewed by Victoria Police over knowledge his of an alleged sexual assault that has occurred in 2023, but was released without arrest pending further investigation. The AFL policy for standing down players under investigation was on a case by case basis, and was described as being concerned with "the weightiness of the charge, not the weight of evidence". The AFL banned Bruhn from playing at any level in 2025, although he continued to be paid by his football team. The AFL Players Union was highly critical of the AFL's actions and Victoria police, because even though a suppression order was in place, the investigation was widely known and caused enormous stress to Bruhn. On the 11 November 2025, the Crown Prosecutor withdrew the charges as two witnesses were found to have lied under oath. The Victoria Police also agreed to pay his and a friend's legal costs, Changes were also made to prosecution procedures to allow cross examination early in the process, to help prevent this situation occurring again.

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