NON-VICTORIAN clubs will soon be the ones lagging behind if their Melbourne rivals continue to reap the benefits of AFL and government handouts, according to Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg.

Yesterday's distribution of $10.5 million in funding to Melbourne clubs by the Victorian government was met with some incredulity by Trigg, who said the league's equalisation policies were already providing a great deal of propping up in the game's heartland without added government help.

"There's a very strong equalisation policy in the competition in terms of the special distribution fund," Trigg said. "Now with this sort of state government intervention, we are moving towards a situation where the non-Victorian clubs will be under pressure to catch up."

Traditional strugglers Richmond, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs were high on the list of clubs receiving financial support, but so, too, were the likes of Collingwood and Essendon, neither of whom appear to be anywhere near financial hard times.

"In one sense you say good luck to them (the Melbourne clubs), I'm not sitting here with jealousy," Trigg said. "But the non-Victorian clubs have also got some big challenges ahead in terms of our facilities for the next 10-20 years."

Trigg's words were supported last week by the release of AFL figures regarding football department spending by each club.

In 2007 the Crows ranked seventh out of 16 in terms of football expenses.

■Former star centre half-forward Royce Hart was last night awarded Richmond's highest honour, as he was elevated to immortal status in the club's hall of fame.

Hart joined fellow club greats Jack Dyer, Kevin Bartlett, Tommy Hafey and Francis Bourke in receiving the honour.

Hart was a champion key forward noted for his high marking, and played 187 games from 1967-77, for 369 goals, and a part in four premiership sides.

AAP