Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham has expressed his frustrations on the lack of rewards for clubs finishing the home and away season as minor premiers, saying there are no real benefits to finishing first.

After a stellar 2024 season, the Swans finished atop the AFL ladder, claiming 17 wins out of 23 games, beating out Port Adelaide (16 wins), Geelong (15) and GWS (15).

In years gone by, Sydney would be rewarded with a $1 million payday for its efforts, but with the changed criteria, they will miss out.

Ahead of the 2023 season, the league altered the criteria for the McLelland Trophy - awarded each year to the club with the best aggregate performance - to include the women's competition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Alyssa Bannan of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at IKON Park on September 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Last year, Melbourne was the recipient of the McLelland Trophy due to their efforts in the men's and women's competitions, finishing fourth and second, respectively.

The Demons won 25 matches combined that totalled 128 points, topping Brisbane and Collingwood's 23 victories.

Ironically, the Pies won the men's competition, beating out the Lions in the grand final, while the latter were crowned the champions of the women's.

โ€œYou get a pat on the back bizarrely for something that is so difficult to achieve,โ€ Pridham said on RSN.

โ€œThe $1 million prize was changed to be awarded across both AFL and AFLW competitions combined, with the women's game getting double points.

โ€œI thought it was odd last year, the first year they did it, Collingwood finished on top of the men's, the Crows in the women's, and they received nothing.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Errol Gulden of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round two AFL match between Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers at SCG, on March 23, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

โ€œMelbourne received the McLelland Trophy, the $1m, which players shared, and they finished fourth in the men's and second in the women's and neither made it to the preliminary final.

โ€œIt's become a participation award, which I think is something, let's say, should be reviewed.โ€

Pridham came up with a solution.

โ€œIf I was responsible, I think both competitions are seriously fought, so there should be a trophy from the men's and women's, and the prize money should be equal,โ€ he said.

โ€œAnd maybe a little bonus if either club can manage to win the men's and the women's (premierships) because that would be extremely difficult to do.โ€

 2024-09-07T05:20:00Z 
 
 
 
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Sydney's men's side is preparing for their qualifying final against cross-town rivals GWS at the SCG on September 7.

The women's side will kick off its campaign on Friday when they host Collingwood.