Richmond Tigers Dustin Martin & Jack Riewoldt fly business class with teammates stuck in economy

Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt’s Richmond teammates could be forgiven for feeling a bit miffed after the two veteran stars were filmed enjoying business class on the long flight to Perth while the rest of the side were stuck in economy.

The Tigers flew to Western Australia for Sunday’s win over the Eagles, with the club releasing a video showing one of the airline stewards announcing that the club had passed the 100,000 members mark.

However, the footage also showed the players crammed into ‘cattle class’ for the four-hour journey while Martin and Riewoldt sat in front of them in the relative luxury of business class, with a rope separating them from the rest of the passengers.

Their teammates were seated three-abreast on either side of the aisle while the two premiership heroes enjoyed far more space, seated two abreast in comfortable seats with large headrests.

‘Dusty’ was filmed enjoying the extra room in the roped-off business class section during the four-hour flight to Perth for the side’s clash with West Coast

He was joined in escaping ‘cattle class’ by his fellow veteran Jack Riewoldt

It’s a strange move from the Tigers, as AFL teams usually strive to treat all their players equally to remove any perception of special treatment for their most important and best-paid stars.

Footballers sometimes get upgraded if they need the extra room to help them deal with an injury, but both Martin and Riewoldt were healthy and played the majority of Sunday’s match, which they won 98-60.

Trips to Perth for games against the Eagles and Dockers are the longest flights Melbourne-based teams make all year, and given the fact most AFL stars are very tall, sitting in economy with minimal leg room would not be something the players look forward to.

While the Tigers got the win, it wasn’t an entirely happy trip for Martin, who could get in hot water with the league for his elbow on Alex Witherden.

Martin threw an elbow back into Witherden’s midriff behind the play during the Tigers’ 38-point win at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the rest of the side sat crammed into economy as an airline steward announced that Richmond had passed the 100,000-members mark during the flight (pictured)

Martin (pictured playing the Eagles) might’ve had a nice flight to Perth, but the trip wasn’t all smooth sailing as he could be in hot water for an off-the-ball elbow during the match

Witherden dropped to his knees and a free kick was paid to the Eagles further up the ground.

Richmond coach Andrew McQualter remains hopeful Martin will be free to play in Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.

‘We don’t want any of those actions to cost us off the ball, because ultimately it hurts the team,’ McQualter said.

‘I’m not sure there’s anything too much further in it, is there? Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.’

The incident could be deemed low impact and body contact, potentially attracting a financial sanction rather than a suspension.

However, Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown felt the match review officer (MRO) might judge Martin’s actions more harshly.

‘I’m not sure the MRO is going to be very happy about that one,’ Brown said on Fox Footy’s broadcast.

‘It depends on where he’s hit him. From the reaction from Witherden, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a week for that.’