The Garfield Hotel, located in Garfield, Victoria, has issued a statement defending the Richmond Tigers Football Club players following their "Mad Monday" celebrations. The hotel stated the players conducted themselves with respect and that the events have been "blown out of proportion" by media attention.
Mad Monday is a post-season tradition in the Australian Football League (AFL) where players celebrate the end of their season. The Richmond players gathered at the hotel on a Monday afternoon, engaging in drinking games and other activities.
"We hosted the Richmond Football Club at our venue today, and we could not speak more highly of the way they conducted themselves," the hotel's statement read. "For such a young group, they were extremely respectful and a fun group of boys to deal with. They enjoyed a few quiet beers to unwind after a long season, and we see nothing wrong with that."
The hotel also noted that the venue was booked out for the afternoon, meaning the players were the only patrons present. They expressed disappointment that media were present to film the players in what they perceived as an attempt to capture misconduct.
During the celebrations, some players were observed spanking each other's buttocks. This action was seen by some as a reference to recent off-field issues involving Sydney Swans players. The Swans had faced sanctions for allegedly breaching club standards after a night out that included allegations of sexual assault, though no charges have been laid in that matter.
AFL commentator Kane Cornes criticized the Richmond players' behavior, particularly for teams that have not achieved significant success in the season. He described actions like belt-whipping as "embarrassing" for a team that finished 17th in the league for the second consecutive season.
The Richmond Tigers concluded their 2026 season with a 57-point loss to the Geelong Cats. They won three matches during the season, with victories against West Coast and Essendon.
Amid these celebrations, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon issued a statement emphasizing that respect for women is "not negotiable," in the context of ongoing investigations into player conduct across the league. The tradition of Mad Monday has been a recurring subject of controversy regarding player behavior in recent years, yet it continues to be a prominent part of club culture.