RICHMOND players have expressed their embarrassment over a video circulating from their end of season gathering, but the club insists the players were not referencing the recent Sydney Swans scandal.

Tigers players were filmed at The Garfield Hotel, 80km east of Melbourne, on Monday. One player was filmed feigning shock when spanked on his rear by a teammate, while another can be seen whipping a fellow player on the back with a belt.

The club says while the players are embarrassed by the footage, they were not making light of the alleged incident involving Sydney players last week, which is now the subject of a police investigation.

"Richmond is aware of a video circulating from a player end of season gathering," the club said in a statement.

"The club has spoken to the players who have expressed their embarrassment over their behaviour.

"The players are adamant they were in no way referencing or making light of recent matters."

Earlier on Tuesday, the venue praised the behaviour of the players.

"In our view, this has been blown out of proportion," the hotel said in a statement posted on social media.

The hotel said it "could not speak more highly" of how players behaved.

"For such a young group, they were extremely respectful and a fun group of boys to deal with," the statement read.

"They enjoyed a few quiet beers to unwind after a long season, and we see nothing wrong with that.

"They had booked out the venue for the afternoon, so they were the only patrons on site.

"They enjoyed their afternoon and moved on."

The hotel noted media were waiting for the Tigers players "in the hope of capturing a misstep, which we consider disappointing".