The McLelland Trophy honours Dr Wm C McLelland, who was a player and club delegate for Melbourne, and VFL President 1926-1955. The trophy was awarded 1951-1990 for the (VFL) club accumulating most points in senior, reserve and under-19 grades. From 1991 (national competition) awarded to club on top of ladder at end of home and away season.
Not a reliable predictor of Premiership success, as below. The bolded entries are teams that topped the ladder and went on to win the premiership. Only five such occasions since from 2001 onwards.
2014 Trophy to Sydney (17 H/A wins); Premier Hawthorn (2nd on ladder, 17 H/A wins)
2013 Hawthorn (19 wins); Hawthorn (1st, 19 wins)
2012 Hawthorn (17 wins); Sydney (3rd, 16 wins)
2011 Collingwood (20 wins); Geelong (2nd, 19 wins)
2010 Collingwood (17 wins); Collingwood (1st, 17 wins)
2009 St Kilda (20 wins); Geelong (2nd, 18 wins)
2008 Geelong (21 wins); Hawthorn (2nd, 17 wins)
2007 Geelong (18 wins); Geelong (1st, 18 wins)
2006 West Coast (17 wins); West Coast (1st, 17 wins)
2005 Adelaide (17 wins); Sydney (3rd, 15 wins)
2004 Port Adelaide (17 wins); Port Adelaide (1st, 17 wins)
2003 Port Adelaide (18 wins); Brisbane (3rd, 17 wins)
2002 Port Adelaide (18 wins); Brisbane (2nd, 17 wins)
2001 Essendon (17 wins); Brisbane (2nd, 17 wins)
In all but three years 2001-2014, the McLelland Trophy Club has been premier or runner up.
2005 Adelaide lost the second Prelim to WCE (runners up) at Subiaco.
2003 Port Adelaide lost the second Prelim to Collingwood (runners up) at MCG
2002 Port Adelaide lost the second Prelim to Brisbane (Premiers) at Gabba