AFL boss defends Tanner Bruhn stand-down as league rules out policy change

AFL boss Andrew Dillon has defended the league’s handling of the Tanner Bruhn matter, and has also ruled against introducing a no-fault stand-down policy.

Geelong’s Bruhn did not play during the 2025 season, being stood down by the AFL after being charged with sexual assault.

The charges were dropped in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The AFL’s decision to stand down Bruhn as part of its “case-by-case” policy was described as “premature and disproportionate” by the AFL Players’ Association. .

However, Dillon defended the league’s actions.

“The PA (players’ association) has their view … (but) the AFL has an ability to stand down but it is on a case-by-case basis,” Dillon said on Wednesday.

“We start with AFL and AFLW players are absolute role models, and I don’t think we need to have a set stand-down rule.

“It is something that you have to have in your armoury, but it is not something that we would use often.”

Dillon said the AFL had “worked closely” with the AFLPA, Tanner’s management and the Geelong club.

“With the suppression order in place, it was something that we couldn’t convey publicly,”he said.

“We are working with the PA on a sanctioning framework to put guard rails around those. but it is something we believe we would not be using a lot.

“All you can do with this is make the decisions based on the information you do have.

“The AFL does have a complex and complicated regulatory framework and we work really closely with the AFLPA on that.”