“I think they wasted it”: Russell believes AFL’s new $1m initiative needs change

Dwayne Russell isn’t a fan of the revamped McClelland Trophy across the AFL and AFLW competitions, suggesting there are better ways for the league to spend its money.

Melbourne won the 2023 award for combined excellence across its men’s and women’s program, winning $1 million that was shared between the club and players.

The Demons claimed the result ahead of Brisbane. But that’s despite neither the men’s or women’s team making it to a Grand Final.

Russell called on the AFL to make changes going forward.

“I think the AFL could have spent their $1 million better,” he said on SEN.

“I think they wasted it this year by coming up with a new concocted McClelland Trophy competition that didn’t really work I don’t think, no one got into it and really didn’t care about it.

“The only winner was Melbourne who won the $1 million despite not reaching the Grand Final in either the men’s or women’s comp.”

Under the current system, AFLW wins count for double that of an AFL triumph. But Russell doesn’t believe the logic stacks up.

“To make it even sillier really, the AFLW home and away wins counted as double in a comp where the teams only play half the other teams… and the AFL men’s competition, all the wins counted and some teams play the dud teams twice,” he continued.

“So how can the AFL continue to think this is the way to go for a $1 million giveaway?”

Prior to 2023 and since 1991, the McClelland Trophy has been awarded to the club that finished first on the ladder. The league made the changes to recognise football departments across the entire club.

Melbourne won nine W games while the men’s side recorded 16 wins to finish clear of Brisbane in second and Collingwood in third.

Adelaide and St Kilda rounded out the top five in the 2023 McClelland Trophy.