AFL McClelland Trophy race narrows to four powerhouses

Geelong and Sydney remain firm favourites to take out the AFL McClelland Trophy and the accompanying $1 million cash prize (split evenly between the men's and women's programs).

The pair of premiership contenders will face off in an upcoming AFLW semi-final. The Swans and Cats lead the competitions with 30 points accumulated across both leagues, with Hawthorn sitting third.

The Hawks' chance of taking out the award remains alive after they defeated Gold Coast in an elimination final last weekend. They take on Carlton in a do-or-die semi-final, with the Blues also mathematically having a chance to win the prize as well.

For Sydney to win the trophy, they must beat Geelong and coupled with a Carlton victory over Hawthorn.

For Geelong to win, they must beat the Swans and also have the Blues topple the Hawks.

Hawthorn and Carlton must go on a magical run and win the AFLW premiership, and hope neither the Swans or Cats progress past the preliminary final stage.

Despite booking home preliminary final dates, Melbourne and North Melbourne are out of the running for the McClelland Trophy.

The McClelland Trophy is recognition of football organisations and their efforts across both programs in a year. Following each respective finals series for both competitions, clubs are assigned a ranking from 1 to 18 in reverse order – the team claiming the premiership securing 18 points, down to the 18th team receiving 1 point.