Robbo: McClelland Trophy needs a revamp after Hawthorn’s big $1 million win

Hawthorn were handed $1 million for winning the McClelland Trophy, yet both their AFL and AFLW sides were knocked out in the semi-finals. MARK ROBINSON says it’s an embarrassment.

James Sicily of the Hawks looks dejected after a loss to Port Adelaide. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The revitalised McClelland Trophy, worth a whopping $1 million, is a broken embarrassment.

Hawthorn won the award – and the hefty prizemoney – for being the champion club of the 2024 season, yet Port Adelaide knocked the Hawks out of both the men’s and women’s competitions in the semi-finals.

Port made the preliminary final in the men’s and after their rollicking win over Hawthorn on Sunday in the AFLW, will play North Melbourne in this week’s preliminary final.

On any other criteria other than the ridiculous McClelland Trophy points system, which covers only the home and away season, Port has been more successful than Hawthorn.

Power president David Koch said on Monday: “I think it’s great the AFL is rewarding home-and-away success, but maybe the formula is a little out of whack and needs tuning.’’

Like the mens’ side, the Hawthorn women were bundled out of the semi-finals by Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane would certainly think the award is a disgrace. To date, the Lions have won the men’s Grand Final and are into the women’s preliminary final. They play Adelaide this weekend.

The Lions on Monday opted not to comment.

What a scandal it would be if the Lions won both the men’s and women’s premierships, and were not considered the champion club of 2024.

Why the finals matches are not included in McClelland Trophy rankings is an issue the AFL must rectify this off season. A prestigious award in years past, it now stands accused of being a sham if, say, the Lions win the double.

Brisbane could win both premierships, but won’t be awarded the McClelland Trophy. Picture: David Caird

Just like the absurd situation where the mark of the year and goal of the year can only be won in the home-and-away season, the best club award is also only for the home-and-away season.

The Hawks won it because they accumulated 136 points – 80 points in the AFLW (eight points per win) and 56 in the AFL (four points per win).

The Lions were second on the table on 130 points. Not even the staunchest Hawks fans would agree their club was not the best-performed this season.

Once considered a quaint award, the trophy, from 1951-1990, was presented to the club with the highest aggregate performance across three grades of competition – seniors, reserves and under-19s.

From 1991-2022, it was presented to the club who was on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season.

Former Adelaide CEO Bill Sanders with the 2005 McClelland Trophy.

In 2023, the AFL announced the new format – taking in both the men’s and women’s competitions – and the kicker was the $1 million prizemoney. Melbourne won it in 2023.

Former player and commentator Kate McCarthy at the weekend voiced her concern about the current system.

“The problem I have with it being called the ‘champion club’ is the sense that it’s not really reflective of who’s the champion club across men’s and women’s because it’s a home-and-away award,” McCarthy said.

It’s difficult to disagree with the sentiments of both Koch and McCarthy.

The award is significant and the financial attachment is enticing. So, let’s be honest about which club deserves to win it – that’s Brisbane or Port Adelaide.

And certainly not the Hawks who didn’t make the top four in either competition.

Originally published as Robbo: McClelland Trophy needs a revamp after Hawthorn’s big $1 million win