Super Swans land $1 million prize after sinking Cats

SYDNEY has won the 2026 McClelland Trophy and the $1 million prizemoney after handing Geelong a straight sets finals exit over the weekend. 

The McClelland Trophy is awarded to the club that finishes first on a combined AFL/AFLW ladder, which takes into account the finishing position of each club's two teams after their exit from finals. Eighteen points are awarded for winning the premiership, 17 for runners up, and so on down the ladder.

With the Swans' men's side reaching a preliminary final in 2026 to get 16 points and the W side also reaching the final four (minimum 15 points) after their stunning win over Geelong on Saturday, they now cannot be caught at the top of the ladder.

The Cats were red-hot favourites to take home the prize after reaching a semi-final in the men's competition and earning a home qualifying final in the women's. But the AFLW team's straight sets exit, courtesy of two heartbreaking losses by a combined seven points, has seen them fall behind the Swans.

The $1 million prizemoney is split between the club ($500,000) and the AFL and AFLW players ($250,000 for each playing group).

"To have both our AFL and AFLW teams reach preliminary finals this year is something we're very proud of," Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich said.

"It's a whole-of-club attitude and effort, from our players, coaches and staff across both programs and reflects the contribution and hard work of so many people across the club.

"We're incredibly grateful for our members and fans, who have turned up and watched both teams throughout the season, and I'd like to thank them for their ongoing passion and support."

The McClelland Trophy criteria was changed in 2023, beginning a new era for the historic award as a 'Champion Club' honour.

Since 1991, the trophy had been awarded to the club that finished first on the ladder in the men's competition, but it has a rich history of being awarded to the club with the best overall performance across multiple teams (seniors, reserves and under-19s).

The trophy was struck in 1951 in the VFL to recognise the contributions of William McClelland, who was a former Melbourne captain, president of the Melbourne Cricket Club and VFL president from 1926-55.

The four winners of the award under the new criteria have been Melbourne (2023), Hawthorn (2024), Brisbane (2025) and the Swans.

"To have both its AFL and AFLW teams reach a preliminary final in the same year is a fantastic achievement and a credit to everyone across the club," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.

"The McClelland Trophy is great recognition of Sydney's performances across both competitions this year, and we look forward to seeing what the remainder of the AFLW Finals Series brings."

*Still active in the 2026 NAB AFLW Finals Series