Adelaide has its sights firmly set on a different piece of silverware, but on Thursday night the Club was awarded the McClelland Trophy as minor premiers for the 2017 home and away season.  

AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder presented the trophy to Crows Chairman Rob Chapman at Adelaide Oval ahead of the Club’s Qualifying Final win over Greater Western Sydney.

It’s the second time the Club has received the award in its history, with Adelaide’s only other minor premiership coming in 2005.

The McClelland Trophy is named after Dr Wm. C. McClelland, a player and club delegate for Melbourne and the VFL President from 1926 – 1955.

Between 1950 and 1990 the trophy was awarded to the VFL club that performed the best across the three levels of competition; Seniors, Reserves and Under-19s.

Since 1991, it has been awarded to the team finishing first on the ladder at the completion of the home and away season, before finals are played.

The 2017 McClelland Trophy