BUOYED by a thrilling final-round win over Fremantle, Sydney has closed the gap on McClelland Trophy leader Geelong ahead of the NAB AFLW finals series.Â
The Swans edged out the Dockers by a point in WA on Sunday to claim a home elimination final and reduce the Cats' lead to just two points in the race for the $1 million McClelland Trophy prize.Â
The Cats (31 points) now sit two points clear of Sydney (29) in second position, with Melbourne, Carlton, Hawthorn and Fremantle in equal third on 26 points.
Only six clubs remain in mathematical contention for the McClelland Trophy: Geelong, Sydney, Melbourne, Carlton, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.Â
Points are allocated from 18-1 based on finishing position post-finals, so while the points from the men's season are now locked in (Brisbane with 18, Fremantle with 17 etc), the women's season remains changeable.
The Cats finished second on the AFLW ladder after the home and away season, but to receive the full 17 points they have at the moment, they would have to qualify for the Grand Final.
Sydney remains the strongest competitor to pinch the prizemoney from Geelong.
The Swans' AFLW team finished sixth ahead of finals, and should they qualify for a preliminary final, and the Cats not manage to make the Grand Final, Sydney will be crowned the McClelland Trophy winner.
The third-placed Dees, Hawks and Blues need an awful lot to go right – including a straight-sets Geelong exit – to come into calculations. The Western Bulldogs, despite ranking eighth on the current McClelland Trophy standings, also remain a chance to claim the prize if they win the AFLW premiership and other results go their way.Â
In the case of two clubs finishing in equal first on points, combined percentage will come into play.
The $1 million is split between the club ($500,000) and its men's and women's players ($500,000 to the combined pool).
2026 McClelland Trophy ladder (post-round 12 AFLW)
|
Rank |
Club |
AFL Points |
AFLW Points |
Combined Points |
|
1 |
Geelong |
14 |
17 |
31 |
|
2 |
Sydney |
16 |
13 |
29 |
|
3 |
Melbourne |
10 |
16 |
26 |
|
4 |
Carlton |
11 |
15 |
26 |
|
5 |
Hawthorn |
15 |
11 |
26 |
|
6 |
Fremantle |
17 |
9 |
26 |
|
7 |
Brisbane |
18 |
7 |
25 |
|
8 |
Western Bulldogs |
12 |
12 |
24 |
|
9 |
North Melbourne |
5 |
18 |
23 |
|
10 |
Adelaide |
13 |
8 |
21 |
|
11 |
Gold Coast |
6 |
14 |
20 |
|
12 |
Port Adelaide |
4 |
10 |
14 |
|
13 |
Collingwood |
9 |
2 |
11 |
|
14 |
Greater Western Sydney |
7 |
4 |
11 |
|
15 |
West Coast |
3 |
6 |
9 |
|
16 |
St Kilda |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
17 |
Richmond |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
18 |
Essendon |
1 |
3 |
4 |
Previous McClelland Trophy winners (under combined AFL/W criteria)
2025 – Brisbane
2024 – Hawthorn
2023 – MelbourneÂ
Get two NAB AFLW qualifying final games for the price of one at Saturday’s Ikon Park double-header! Geelong takes on Melbourne, before North Melbourne hosts Carlton. All spectators need a ticket - adults $15, kids under 15 free. Get your tickets hereÂ
