Hawks edge out Lions in race for $1 million McClelland Trophy

HAWTHORNE is in the box to claim the $1 million prize on offer for the winner of the McClelland Trophy after Brisbane stumbled against Geelong on Sunday.

The Lions suffered a shock NAB AFLW defeat to the Cats at GMHBA Stadium while the Hawks bounced back comfortably from GWS on Saturday.

The results saw the Hawks leapfrog the reigning AFLW premiers into first place in the overall McClelland Trophy rankings, but the two teams are separated by just six points.

With every AFLW win worth eight points, the race could easily be turned on its head in the final two weeks of the season, setting up an exciting race for the $1 million prize.

Hawthorn look set to have a little tougher time in their final two matches, taking on resurgent Melbourne before a final round clash with finals contenders Richmond at the Swinburne Centre.

The Lions host bottom-four Sydney and head to RSEA Park in the final round to take on St Kilda, who are still well and strong heading into the finals race.

Port Adelaide remains in the mathematical battle for the McClelland Trophy, 16 points and a percentage behind the first-place Hawks. However, Port will have to win both of their last matches by large margins and hope that both Hawthorn and Brisbane lose all their remaining games to have any chance of lifting the prize.

The Power made it home safely as they traveled to 17th-placed Gold Coast before hosting 15th-placed GWS.

The McClelland Trophy offers a $1 million prize to the top team in the men’s and women’s AFL competitions, with wins in each competition valued differently to account for the varying number of home and away fixtures.

Wins in the men’s competition are worth four premiership points, while wins in the NAB AFL women’s competition are worth eight points in the McClelland Trophy rankings.