Rumour Rumors of cat player in big trouble

[joe444]

Joe-- you'd think with 25 years of experience in the law that you'd understand that the case has yet to be dropped.

 

[takethepowerback]

Champ the judge timed out the case for him to consult a lawyer
Fact

Did you read what I said? That was in relation to the mention of him being kicked and punched. That does not mean that SA did not occur...

 

[joe444]

Again, as a legal professional, you should know that speculating without all the facts is unconscionable.

This is getting ridiculous, and deliberately conflating two concepts. The most compelling evidence of false allegations I have ever seen has not just been presented in court, but with such a volume and from witnesses aligned to the alleged victim.

The "who knows what happened" crowd are operating on a nebulous sense of how convictions and cases work. We have an appalling situation here for a system which assumes innocence (not assumes 'maybe she did this, you weren't in the room!').

Not one, but five people associated with the accused have testified that post-factum, she acknowledged consent and expressed a motivation to extort money.

In such circumstances, the case should never have progressed.

This does not imply I know what happened, nor does it imply I am a rampant misogynist. I - and another member of my family - work within the sex crimes space. Sadly, "always believe the woman" is not a foundation for even the most compassionate individual. In my experience, too many men get away with too many things, but the refrain is "almost always believe the woman."

And you clearly don't know that "speculating without all the facts" is, inevitably, part of a lawyer's job, especially with cases like this. Your capacity to be offended is not something I, nor anyone else, needs to regard as a compelling argument.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Who knows. These cases are notoriously hard to prosecute. I don't have the answers but I think labelled the alleged victim as an extortionist is a disgrace, just because this guy happens to play for the football club you support.

Rubbish, it’s in pain sight with the evidence coming out with people having messages to show and testimonies who directly were in communication with her that she lied and made it up.

this is exactly the sort of extortion that makes life so much harder for real victims of sexual crimes to come forward. They see this sort of behavior and are put off and scarred.

People who chose to lie about sexual crimes to extort money and destroy another’s lives are deserving of the full weight of the law to come down on them.

Real victims need our support, not people with malevolent intentions.

 

[iameviljez]

Honestly the tribalism in here is pretty gross

You should be able to have a discussion about a matter as serious and shit as this, whichever version is the truth.. And not be so aligned to one side of the other just because of what colour footy jumper the accused wears.

Yep. Some things are bigger than footy

 

[takethepowerback]

This is getting ridiculous, and deliberately conflating two concepts. The most compelling evidence of false allegations I have ever seen have not just been presented in court, but with such a volume and from witnesses aligned to the alleged victim.

The "who knows what happened" crowd are operating on a nebulous sense of how convictions and cases work. We have an appalling situation here for a system which assumes innocence (not assumes 'maybe she did this, you weren't in the room!').

Not one, but five people associated with the accused have testified that post-factum, she acknowledged consent and expressed a motivation to extort money.

In such circumstances, the case should never have progressed.

This does not imply I know what happened, nor does it imply I am a rampant misogynist. I - and another member of my family - work within the sex crimes space. Sadly, "always believe the woman" is not a foundation for even the most compassionate individual. In my experience, too many men get away with too many things, but the refrain is "almost always believe the woman."

This is the most compelling case of false evidence you've ever seen, and you claim to work in the law field?

The compelling evidence - ''two witnesses heard that she had lied about the case'' ... that's some rock-solid concrete evidence...two people heard that she lied about it.

Are you actually being serious or? Hope to god you didn't have an important role in the legal field - 'well, a couple of people said nah she's lying, well that it's then, case solved.'

Also - that is taken from the preliminary hearing, in which another witness claimed she was intoxicated and feared for her safety. That's generally how a court case works - there are two opposing views. One which you are backing to the hilt, citing as the 'strongest evidence' you've ever seen, based on two unnamed witnesses claiming it's a lie.

We don't know why the court case has been abandoned; it has not been formally done yet. Only the initial paperwork has been filed, which we don't have access to.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Nope, he was labelled an alleged rapist by the police, not me.

Who then saw evidence she made it up and dropped the charges before it even reached trial.

They clearly have changed their minds now. What is more telling, when you have facts, or when you don’t have facts??


To the point of some s people saying prosecutiob is looking at charging her with falesefying a police statement.

 

[STPer18]

Do we think 'witness' retracted his evidence from a fortnight ago after being advised not to commit perjury?

September 18, 2025
A key court hearing for a high profile man accused of rape has been temporarily stood down for a witness to receive “independent legal advice”.

Called to give evidence, Harrison Martin told the court he’d been friends with the alleged victim in late 2022 and early 2023.

Mr Martin told the court he tried to intervene on his friend’s behalf, but was punched and stomped on by the “tall one”.

Ms O’Brien accused Mr Martin of lying about the assault, which he denied, saying the alleged assault was not captured on CCTV.

“What we have is from the moment these gentlemen arrive to the moment they leave is constant surveillance of them,” Ms O’Brien said.

“I’m giving you an opportunity not to commit perjury.”

After a short break in the hearing, prosecutor Catherine Parkes said Mr Martin had “raised a matter which requires independent legal advice”.

She requested, and Ms Swadesir agreed, the case was adjourned until Friday for this to occur.

 

[Senor M]

View attachment 2443711

25 years of legal experience and you demonstrate your misunderstanding of the law by posting a screenshot of headlines from Google.

Mate-- the case hasn't been "dropped" yet, the paperwork may have been lodged (according to sources) but it has yet to be formally abandoned.

If you really are a lawyer, I hope that you'll never have to defend me in court, because I don't trust your understanding of the law.

 

[MisterMarcus]

Richmond still trying to get him life in prison this morning?

They seem aware of every minute detail of any piece of evidence claiming he is guilty, but are quick to ignore or dismiss anything pointing to his innocence.

Funny that.

 

[Generalissimo]

Imagine hating another club so much that you wish and pray for a rape to have happened, just to hurt one of its players.

 

[Munich]

Imagine hating another club so much that you wish and pray for a rape to have happened, just to hurt one of its players.

It's foul isn't it.

 

[takethepowerback]

Imagine hating another club so much that you wish and pray for a rape to have happened, just to hurt one of its players.

What a sh*t strawman argument, and a generally sh*t thing to say.

People have simply pointed out - we don't know what happened. Read through the thread no one is saying he 100% did it. The only people blindly backing one story are cats fans who seem to think that because the charges were dropped he was found "innocent."

We simply don't know. But some have pointed out that statistically false accusations are rare, and that r*pe is extremely difficult to prosecute.

Cats fans have said the most disgusting things in this thread, "oh she was a prossie, how did it get this far", or equating payment with consent.

Untill actual evidence either way is released, I don't see how in good conscience you could back this bloke to the hilt like you are. You all take the slightest shred of evidence and run with it because it suits your one eyed bias for your club. And yes, I would say the inverse to - no one should blindly backing his guilt either, we don't know.

But we do know that either way, it seems to be a very murky and dodgey situation, involving intoxication, and consequently in one way or another - unclear consent.

 

[Generalissimo]

I think we can do without the sanctimony.

There's been plenty of people in this thread hoping and praying he's guilty just because they don't like Geelong, and you know it.

 

[MisterMarcus]

What a sh*t strawman argument, and a generally sh*t thing to say.

People have simply pointed out - we don't know what happened. Read through the thread no one is saying he 100% did it. The only people blindly backing one story are cats fans who seem to think that because the charges were dropped he was found "innocent."

We simply don't know. But some have pointed out that statistically false accusations are rare, and that r*pe is extremely difficult to prosecute.

Cats fans have said the most disgusting things in this thread, "oh she was a prossie, how did it get this far", or equating payment with consent.

Untill actual evidence either way is released, I don't see how in good conscience you could back this bloke to the hilt like you are. You all take the slightest shred of evidence and run with it because it suits your one eyed bias for your club. And yes, I would say the inverse to - no one should blindly backing his guilt either, we don't know.

But we do know that either way, it seems to be a very murky and dodgey situation, involving intoxication, and consequently in one way or another - unclear consent.

Every single one of your posts in this thread has been desperately talking up anything suggesting his guilt, and downplaying anything pointing to his innocence.

 

[Soggy2112]

The tribalism in here is gross. This issue has absolutely nothing to do with Geelong and everything to do with our country and our legal system.

Anyone who has ever been through this process or witnessed someone go through this process can tell you how broken the system is when it comes to rape and sexual assault. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, however, the terms “charges dropped” or “not guilty” are used for a reason. They are used, because that person has not been proven to be innocent, they have simply not been proven to be guilty, there is a difference.

I am not making any comment on this particular case. I really, truely do hope that he is innocent. However, we can already see, and will continue to see a large portion of society who will jump on the bandwagon that this player is completely innocent and that it’s “yet another woman extorting a high profile person”. None of us know what really happened.

What I can say with certainty though, is that the number of rapists who walk free dwarves the number of cases where innocent people have been “extorted” by women. I would also say that the negative impact on society of scumbag men being able to walk free, likely to do it again, while the victims have to add to their trauma of knowing that, is huge.

So I’d encourage everyone to think before they speak. Bruhn should be free to return to the field and continue his career. But people should be very careful about their commentary on this issue and the people involved, because remember, he has been proven not guilty, he has not been proven innocent.

 

[MisterMarcus]

The tribalism in here is gross. This issue has absolutely nothing to do with Geelong and everything to do with our country and our legal system.

Anyone who has ever been through this process or witnessed someone go through this process can tell you how broken the system is when it comes to rape and sexual assault. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, however, the terms “charges dropped” or “not guilty” are used for a reason. They are used, because that person has not been proven to be innocent, they have simply not been proven to be guilty, there is a difference.

I am not making any comment on this particular case. I really, truely do hope that he is innocent. However, we can already see, and will continue to see a large portion of society who will jump on the bandwagon that this player is completely innocent and that it’s “yet another woman extorting a high profile person”. None of us know what really happened.

What I can say with certainty though, is that the number of rapists who walk free dwarves the number of cases where innocent people have been “extorted” by women. I would also say that the negative impact on society of scumbag men being able to walk free, likely to do it again, while the victims have to add to their trauma of knowing that, is huge.

So I’d encourage everyone to think before they speak. Bruhn should be free to return to the field and continue his career. But people should be very careful about their commentary on this issue and the people involved, because remember, he has been proven not guilty, he has not been proven innocent.

People are allowed to draw conclusions from the fact that multiple witnesses appear to have openly discussed themselves that they think the accuser is lying. And that the main witness for the accuser has apparently been warned not to perjure themselves.

The whole "so many guilty men walk free" thing is a bit of a strawman - we're not talking about "so many other men", we're talking about one specific case.

 

[Soggy2112]

People are allowed to draw conclusions from the fact that multiple witnesses appear to have openly discussed themselves that they think the accuser is lying. And that the main witness for the accuser has apparently been warned not to perjure themselves.

The whole "so many guilty men walk free" thing is a bit of a strawman - we're not talking about "so many other men", we're talking about one specific case.

“Two witnesses who testified said they were told in the weeks after the night out that the woman had said she lied about the alleged attack,” The Age reported.

“They heard the men paid the woman for sexual services, but after she demanded more money, which the men refused, she decided to report the interaction as rape, the court was told.”

Again, as I said, I don’t know what happened, and the player should be free to return to the field without any other repercussions.

But at this stage, anyone not actively involved in this cases is purely speculating. To label the woman involved as having made it all up, based on what’s been reported above, is not appropriate IMO.

I’ll say again, I don’t know if he’s guilty and I certainly won’t be going around saying that I think he is.

But I also think people should not be going around saying that she made it all up either.

 

[_Mike_]

Rape charges against a high-profile Australian sportsperson, who cannot be identified, are set to be dropped.

A suppression order prevents publication of the sportsperson’s name or any identifying details.

Nine chief football reporter Tom Morris broke the news on Wednesday evening.

Rape charges against high-profile Australian sportsperson set to be dropped

Rape charges against high-profile Australian sportsperson set to be dropped

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[TheEscapeClub]

I will have more respect for Geelong if they legit part ways with the accused, he put himself & the club in the position, regardless of if it was consensual.

Geelong should do what we weren't brave enough to do with Balta, which personally I think we should have parted ways with him.

Either way he will be booed all next season by every club supporter base you can just see it. will be another distraction for Geelong and I think they have enough already with Smith.

He put the club and himself in this position by paying someone to have sex with him?

Or did she put him and the club in this position by trying to get more money out of him and when that didn't work, falsely crying rape?

He deserved it because he's a footballer and has lots of money. She deserved it because she wore a short skirt.

Balta belted someone on camera, and then while the victim was on his knees and defenceless, belted him again.

 

[MisterMarcus]

“Two witnesses who testified said they were told in the weeks after the night out that the woman had said she lied about the alleged attack,” The Age reported.

“They heard the men paid the woman for sexual services, but after she demanded more money, which the men refused, she decided to report the interaction as rape, the court was told.”

Again, as I said, I don’t know what happened, and the player should be free to return to the field without any other repercussions.

But at this stage, anyone not actively involved in this cases is purely speculating. To label the woman involved as having made it all up, based on what’s been reported above, is not appropriate IMO.

I’ll say again, I don’t know if he’s guilty and I certainly won’t be going around saying that I think he is.

But I also think people should not be going around saying that she made it all up either.

And multiple people on a social media feed all began commenting that they thought she was lying.

And these witnesses were acquainted with the accuser, not the accused. So you'd expect them to be biased towards her if anything.

And the main witness in support of the accuser had to be warned about perjury.

I think people are entitled to look at all of the above and think the allegation is very flimsy.

 

[Munich]

He put the club and himself in this position by paying someone to have sex with him?

Or did she put him and the club in this position by trying to get more money out of him and when that didn't work, falsely crying rape?

He deserved it because he's a footballer and has lots of money. She deserved it because she wore a short skirt.

Balta belted someone on camera, and then while the victim was on his knees and defenceless, belted him again.

Let's try to remember at the time of this alleged event, he would have been 20/21 years old.

 

[Soggy2112]

And multiple people on a social media feed all began commenting that they thought she was lying.

That doesn’t mean anything.

And these witnesses were acquainted with the accuser, not the accused. So you'd expect them to be biased towards her if anything.

That’s just speculation.

And the main witness in support of the accuser had to be warned about perjury.

Source for this?

Unless they release the suppression order I don’t think we can fully understand the context of why this warning was given and make a proper judgement.

I think people are entitled to look at all of the above and think the allegation is very flimsy.

You may well be right, but this is purely speculation which is highly inappropriate in this context.

 

[joe444]

This is the most compelling case of false evidence you've ever seen, and you claim to work in the law field?

The compelling evidence - ''two witnesses heard that she had lied about the case'' ... that's some rock-solid concrete evidence...two people heard that she lied about it.

Are you actually being serious or? Hope to god you didn't have an important role in the legal field - 'well, a couple of people said nah she's lying, well that it's then, case solved.'

Also - that is taken from the preliminary hearing, in which another witness claimed she was intoxicated and feared for her safety. That's generally how a court case works - there are two opposing views. One which you are backing to the hilt, citing as the 'strongest evidence' you've ever seen, based on two unnamed witnesses claiming it's a lie.

We don't know why the court case has been abandoned; it has not been formally done yet. Only the initial paperwork has been filed, which we don't have access to.

I am not backing anyone to the hilt, nor am I claiming innocence.

It is a prosecution which simply cannot proceed, and I will comfortably assert that on the basis of what I have seen.

No amount of keyboard warriorship or vitriolic outrage is going to change that.

There are plenty of tribalistic, misogynistic posts for you to vent your rage at; mine is not one of them.

When you have witnesses closely tied to the accuser stating that she has lied (regardless of whether she has) and sought to extort money (regardless of whether she has), the prosecution falls. It is compelling evidence, but it is not fact and never should be conflated.

As for your misunderstanding of how committals operate, and your seeming confusion of how a criminal trial operates vis a vis a civil one, nor even the factors the DPP must consider in proceeding, I doubt me nor anyone else can help you. You're in your own little world of arguing against opinions nobody has expressed.

And making it personal; well done on that.

 

[MisterMarcus]

That doesn’t mean anything.




That’s just speculation.




Source for this?

Unless they release the suppression order I don’t think we can fully understand the context of why this warning was given and make a proper judgement.




You may well be right, but this is purely speculation which is highly inappropriate in this context.

OK so your response to anything that might indicate the accused's innocence is basically "That doesn't count!"

Fair enough. Sounds like you've very clearly made your mind up.