THE AFL congratulates the Hawthorn Football Club on winning the McClelland Trophy, earning a $1 million prize as the best performed club for the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and 2024 NAB AFLW Season.
With the Brisbane Lions defeating Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) earlier today, Hawthorn needed a win or a draw against Richmond to win the $1 million.
Hawthorn came from behind in the final quarter against Richmond to win by 23 points, securing the McClelland Trophy and a home Qualifying Final in next weekend's 2024 NAB AFLW Finals series.
Hawthorn finished on a combined 136 points following their win against Richmond, with 80 points in the AFLW and 56 in the AFL.
The Brisbane Lions finished second on 130 points, with 72 points in the AFLW and 58 in the AFL.
The McClelland Trophy recognises the ‘Champion Club’ and celebrates the club that has accumulated the most points across both the men’s and women’s home-and-away seasons.
The million-dollar prize money will be distributed equally with $250,000 going to the AFLW playing group, $250,000 to the AFL playing group, $250,000 to the club football department staff (exempt from the soft cap), and $250,000 to the Club.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon congratulated Hawthorn on their success and said they were deserving winners of the McClelland Trophy.
“Congratulations to all the Hawthorn players, coaches and officials on their success across both the men’s and women’s programs. Their achievement of winning the McClelland Trophy highlights their commitment to a high-performance culture and a unified approach to excellence,” Mr. Dillon said.
“The Hawks have been two of the most entertaining team in both the men’s and women’s competitions and It’s fitting that they’ve been recognised as the Champion Club across both programs.”
The Hawthorn Football Club will be presented the McClelland Trophy at the W Awards on 25 November.
Since its institution in 1951, the McClelland Trophy has evolved to reflect a broader range of club achievements, originally awarded in the then-Victorian Football League for club performance across multiple teams. Named in honour of William McClelland—a former Melbourne premiership player, captain, and VFL president—the Trophy remains a symbol of club excellence.
