The AFL players’ union has slammed the league for “premature and disproportionate” action in standing down Geelong footballer Tanner Bruhn while he fought a rape charge, which was dropped on Tuesday.

The league revealed on Tuesday that it had stopped Bruhn from playing at any level after learning early in 2025 that he and a co-accused had been charged with several counts of sexual assault, which they denied.

Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn did not play a game this season. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The charges were officially withdrawn in court on Tuesday. Nothing about Bruhn’s involvement, including the fact he had been stood down by the AFL, could previously be reported because of a suppression order that had been in place all year, which was lifted on Tuesday.

“Mr Bruhn was sto

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