Hawthorn is currently positioned as the frontrunner in the quest for the $1 million McClelland Trophy, following a significant slip by Brisbane in their recent match against Geelong. The Lions faced an unexpected defeat in the NAB AFLW, which allowed the Hawks to surge ahead after their solid performance against GWS.
With the latest results, Hawthorn has overtaken Brisbane to take the top spot in the McClelland Trophy standings, but the competition remains tight with just six points separating the two teams. Each victory in the AFLW awards eight points, meaning the standings could easily shift in the upcoming weeks, creating an exhilarating finish to the season as teams vie for the lucrative prize.
Hawthorn’s path ahead is slightly challenging as they prepare to face a revitalized Melbourne squad, followed by a crucial match against Richmond, who are also pushing for a finals berth. In contrast, Brisbane will compete against lower-ranked Sydney and then travel to RSEA Park for a showdown with St Kilda, who are still in contention for the finals.
Port Adelaide also remains in the running, albeit with a slim chance. They sit 16 points behind the Hawks and would need to secure wins by significant margins in their remaining games while hoping both Hawthorn and Brisbane lose theirs. The Power’s upcoming matches against 17th-placed Gold Coast and 15th-ranked GWS could play a pivotal role in their bid.
The McClelland Trophy rewards the best-performing team across both the AFL men’s and women’s competitions, with differing point allocations reflecting the varying lengths of each league’s season. In this structure, wins in the men’s league are valued at four points, while triumphs in the NAB AFLW contribute eight points to the McClelland Trophy ladder, adding an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the competition.