531 days: Forgotten Cat to return following “egregious injustice”

Tanner Bruhn's long-awaited return to the AFL will be over, come Friday night when Geelong take on Gold Coast.

Bruhn sat out the entire 2025 season as he fought sexual assault charges that were ultimately dropped in November after a key witness admitted to lying about evidence.

The AFLPA slammed the league's powers for the "premature and disproportionate" standing down of the footballer.

Bruhn last played in the 2024 preliminary final loss against Brisbane, 531 days ago on Friday.

"I'm excited about it all, so I try not to individualise too much," Scott said.

"It's his first game but he's really been training and he played a practice game against Carlton, he's kind of ready to go.

"So I think we'll all look back and think this was a small step, it's important that we don't overplay it."

Bruhn was brought across from GWS after he was squeezed out of the midfield, and was set for on-ball minutes in the blue and white hoops.

But the acquisition of Bailey Smith and James Worpel (who will make his Cats debut) in the past two off-seasons has seen the 23-year-old add half back to his kitbag.

"We were confident going into the 25 season that he was going to be an important midfield player for us, and we still think that's the case, but he was always going to be a flexible player as well," Scott said.

"And taking the opportunity through our training, to look at him in positions behind the ball.

"But it's just fantastic for him to get out there and be able to concentrate on footy after what is one of the most egregious injustices I can think of.

"To put that behind him, I think is positive for everyone."