The biggest secret in Aussie sport is exposed as AFL star Tanner Bruhn has sexual assault charges DROPPED after mysteriously missing a whole year of footy

Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Geelong AFL player Tanner Bruhn and his co-accused after alleging they raped a woman in a car.

Bruhn and Patrick Sinnott faced Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday where the rape and intentional sexual touching charges were formally withdrawn.

Bruhn's identity was previously suppressed, but his barrister asked for the order to be lifted following the prosecution's application.

Both men have always maintained their innocence.

Prosecutors had alleged Bruhn and Sinnott raped the woman in the early hours of February 5, 2023, after attending a Geelong strip club, southwest of Melbourne.

They alleged the two men left the club with the complainant in her car and the assault happened in a Dan Murphy's car park in the nearby suburb of Belmont.

CCTV footage showed the woman leaving the strip club with the men at 4.17am and then her car arriving at the car park at 4.21am.

The alleged rape was not captured on the vision, but the woman's vehicle was seen leaving the area about 5am.

Bruhn's barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court the woman had since admitted she lied and the case was clearly a 'horrible stain on the criminal justice system'.

'(Bruhn) should be regarded now and forever as someone who was 100 per cent innocent,' Mr Dann said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Bruhn's lawyer Anna Balmer said her client had endured a 'nightmare' and wanted those behind the false allegations held accountable. 

'Tanner is innocent. He was falsely accused of these crimes,' Ms Balmer said.

'Whilst he is thankful that the court process has vindicated him, he is understandably upset that he had to go through a court process at all, and that it took a year to get here.

'Tanner wants to see those responsible for making these false allegations held to account. 

'We should all hope that Victoria Police properly investigate what appears to be an attempt to pervert the course of justice by at least one, if not two prosecution witnesses.

'The last year of Tanner's life has been horrible. Tanner is grateful for the support he has received from his family and friends, his football club, AFL Players Association and his manager Paul Connors.

'Tanner wants to put this nightmare behind him and get on with playing football. He is hopeful for the future and looking forward to getting back to doing what he loves.' 

Bruhn watched Tuesday's hearing via video link, while Sinnott fronted the court in person.

In a statement, Bruhn thanked his family, friends, manager and teammates for their support.

'The last year of my life has been horrible,' he said.

'I'm grateful for those who stood by me.'

He said he now wanted to move forward and 'get back to playing football.'

Bruhn joined Geelong in 2022 after two seasons with the GWS Giants and signed an extension through to 2027.

The charges have now been formally struck out.