No Oppo Supporters Tanner Bruhn - charges formally dropped

[cat_shack]

what the hell have I stumbled into in this thread...

It’s wild, as wild as the general bf thread about it

 

[cats_09]

Victoria Police has agreed to pay the men's legal costs.

So the Victorian tax payer picks up the bill again.

I'm waiting for conspiracies about this to come out, or criticism of the Vic tax payer footing the salary for one of our coaches

That conflict was the fact the head of Geelong SOCIT, Detective Sergeant Andrew Bruce, was also a coach of the Cats’ AFLW team.

 

[Lana]

I'm waiting for conspiracies about this to come out, or criticism of the Vic tax payer footing the salary for one of our coaches

People really don't understand how far the clubs influence goes.

Honestly it wouldn't surprise me at this point if it came out that Scarlett was the chief director of bat reasearch in Wuhan.

 

[goyoucatters]

People really don't understand how far the clubs influence goes.

Honestly it wouldn't surprise me at this point if it came out that Scarlett was the chief director of bat reasearch in Wuhan.

I think you'll find it was probably Waybill.

#itsalwaystheoneyouleastsuspect

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

The Victorian taxpayer foots the bill in every case the prosecution/police are ordered to pay court costs, so why is it now an issue? Oh, because it's a Geelong player, I see.

 

[CHAWKS2]

From that same article:

So I have had a number of chats with Tanner over past 12 months. Haven’t wanted to post on BF given the sensitivity.

I am so glad that the news today is not ambiguous - it is (maybe rare) occasion where someone who is “100% innocent” has been hard done by. I am always mindful of “victim blaming” given unfortunately bad stuff does happen, but equally angry when people falsely accuse people given it impacts this people plus it undermines REAL victims.

For Tanner, I feel sad of a “lost year” but trying to be positive that if he has survived it (which he has) then he will come back stronger and a better person (albeit cautious)…not just for footy but for life.

I for one am going to hope his footy career takes off - double benefit of giving him some justice and making a big difference to the team I love…he will be a top 10 recruit this year to keep us competitive

 

[CHAWKS2]

What Tanner does in his private life and with whom, if it is consensual, is none of our business. Therefore, reports of other actions he may have taken are irrelevant, as the others involved consented to those. Whether or not these other things led him to the false allegation of rape is just pure speculation. Stick to the facts.

I agree 100%…but I suspect Tanner will moderate his behaviour even though that might be “unfair”. As as a dad of 3 boys of similar age I and Cats fans (who know Tanner) I have had the conversation with them that even though Tanner is 100% innocent (and I believe that and I am not victim blaming as I genuinely like him), it is sobering for my boys to think how to best try and avoid being in that position..

A high and unfair bar to try and stop yourself from false accusations (and when I look back 30 years in my life…wow I was lucky!) but it is something that my boys are taking seriously and that is not a bad thing

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

As an avid female Geelong supporter I am going to try put Tanner’s grubby behaviour out of my mind next season. He has paid a huge price for this behaviour so if the club support him so will I. The reality is he will never be very likeable in my eyes however as someone said a lot of AFL players are not angels once it comes to the opposite sex.

Guilty until proven innocent?

 

[Frank Bunn]

MOD Question:

How would folks feel if we gave things 24/48 hours to have their say on things, and then locking the thread and moving forward to pre-season discussion with players due to shortly return?

Obviously if there's any further developments or actions taken we can reopen the thread, otherwise look at this as the time to move on from the distractions of the past 9/10 months

I reckon if you left it open the thread would naturally die off without new information. We should draw a line under the whole affair. At this point I'm only interested in what Tanner Bruhn can bring to the team.

 

[newcs]

Given that we made the grand final there should be genuine justification that this issue may have cost Geelong a premiership. It has caused us to be one player down all season. A huge "what if" has got merit.
Should the club consider some sought of legal action.

 

[Lana]

Given that we made the grand final there should be genuine justification that this issue may have cost Geelong a premiership. It has caused us to be one player down all season. A huge "what if" has got merit.
Should the club consider some sought of legal action.

Vic Pol should compensate the club for that too, a new stand would sort this out

 

[joe444]

Ironic that now that charges are dropped, the media are allowed to write "rape" and "Tanner Bruhn" in the same sentence.

 

[winty]

The AFLPA have come out and bagged the AFL for their handling of the situation....

The AFLPA released a strongly worded statement directed at the AFL on Tuesday.

"The AFLPA welcomes today's confirmation that charges against Tanner Bruhn have been dropped," the statement said.

"The AFLPA has supported Tanner throughout this long and flawed process alongside his manager Paul Connors, his legal team led by Anna Balmer, and the Geelong Football Club, who have all been exemplary in their care for Tanner.

"We were also in constant dialogue with the AFL as the matter progressed. Tanner was entitled to the presumption of innocence from the outset and throughout. It was clear to us that standing Tanner down would be premature and disproportionate.

"The Collective Bargaining Agreement requires the AFL and AFLPA to resolve a code of conduct including proper processes and a sanctioning framework.

"This unfortunate set of circumstances is further evidence that such a framework is critical for the game.

"We remain committed to this work in the best interests of the players and Australian football."

MSN

 

[Tony Barber]

Ironic that now that charges are dropped, the media are allowed to write "rape" and "Tanner Bruhn" in the same sentence.

Actually, I heard a radio station say 'cleared of sexual misconduct'. I thought that was pretty fair.

 

[jim boy]

As Einstein is quoted a s saying, "There is nothing in the world more damgerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity".

Or mis-attributing quotes? That was Martin Luther King

 

[joe444]

Actually, I heard a radio station say 'cleared of sexual misconduct'. I thought that was pretty fair.

Whereas the ABC went with "rape", which surprised me.

Not sure if he's stopped beating his wife.

 

[catman2006]

It will be tough for Tanner coming back lets hope he finds peace and can enjoy the game still.

 

[TheCattery2007]

Trying to find positives…poor guy. Nothing good happens after 2am, and certainly at 4am.

On the positive - Cats just got two new midfielders this offseason, Bruhn and Worple. Does that shift the dial? Certainly helps - a lot!

 

[TEDDY24INC]

Given that we made the grand final there should be genuine justification that this issue may have cost Geelong a premiership. It has caused us to be one player down all season. A huge "what if" has got merit.
Should the club consider some sought of legal action.

I suspect this is one of the adversity reasons Scott was alluding to in his post match gf presser, by that stage they knew the charges would be dropped and would’ve been filthy

 

[Generalissimo]

MOD Question:

How would folks feel if we gave things 24/48 hours to have their say on things, and then locking the thread and moving forward to pre-season discussion with players due to shortly return?

Obviously if there's any further developments or actions taken we can reopen the thread, otherwise look at this as the time to move on from the distractions of the past 9/10 months

Nah, leave it open. There hasn't been any nastiness or misbehaviour in it that would justify closing it. Keep it as "no oppo supporters" though.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Who cares, he’s available to play. Get around him and ensure the boos don’t get through.

The sledging from opposition players will be savage too.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Given that we made the grand final there should be genuine justification that this issue may have cost Geelong a premiership. It has caused us to be one player down all season. A huge "what if" has got merit.
Should the club consider some sought of legal action.

Bruhn would not have been the difference between us winning or losing the GF. Too much went wrong in that game for it to be put on one player.

With the exception of Bruhn, Kolo and Guthrie, our injury list throughout the year was minimal and the player availability very high. We are the last team that can blame not having enough of our best available. We were very settled. Perhaps too settled.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Bruhn would not have been the difference between us winning or losing the GF. Too much went wrong in that game for it to be put on one player.

With the exception of Bruhn, Kolo and Guthrie, our injury list throughout the year was minimal and the player availability very high. We are the last team that can blame not having enough of our best available. We were very settled. Perhaps too settled.

Maybe not but if I was TB I would be using the GF in any civil suit.

He could argue that despite continuing to be paid that a year without footy cost him opportunities to play to a level that could see his next contract be an increase, cost him sponsorship and endorsements and cost him a chance to play in a premiership. All because an accuser and a witness lied. They've damaged his livelihood and the GF should form part of his case to that effect. If he so chooses.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

The sledging from opposition players will be savage too.

I doubt they go there

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I doubt they go there

Yeah you'd like to think they wouldn't, but players still occasionally trip over vilification lines.

EDIT: Checking out the vilification rules;

National Vilification and Discrimination Policy

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

The National Vilification & Discrimination Policy states no League Participant or Club Official shall engage in conduct which may reasonably be considered to incite hatred towards, contempt for, ridicule of or discrimination against a person or group of persons on the ground of their:

• race;
• religion;
• gender;
• colour;
• sexual preference, orientation or identity; or
• special ability or disability

Should someone within your club feel they are the victim or have seen an incident that could be an act of vilification or discrimination, follow the process as defined in this policy.

I am wondering if sledging for past deeds/misdeeds/unfounded allegations is covered under the above criteria?

It's likely me making a rocky range out of wombat scrapings but I'd like to think the laws would protect Tanner despite not being specifically named.