Swans frustrated with “participation” award, plea to AFL

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.

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.

“You get a pat on the back bizarrely for something that is so difficult to achieve,” Pridham said on RSN.

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

“I 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.

“Melbourne 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.

“It's become a participation award, which I think is something, let's say, should be reviewed.”

Pridham came up with a solution.

“If 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,” he said.

“And 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.”

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.