Strange reference points…
Geelong benefit from being 75km to the Melbourne CBD and have wide footprint throughout provincial Victoria, and even the outer western suburbs of Melbourne (in fact there is probably a population base of 2 million people within a 150km / 200km radius of downtown Geelong.
Notwithstanding Geelong is a 160 year old club with strong foundations in the VFA, VFL and now AFL with a national fan base.
Hardly comparable to a Tasmanian start up, unless Tasmania was looking to join the VFL in 1897
As for the Cowboys, not only are NRL clubs much cheaper to operate than AFL clubs (in terms of revenue the largest NRL club turns over the equivalent of the 12th AFL club) but the Cowboys themselves are in financial ruin…
https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...e/news-story/2b96405aa43163d91b942579c14d4414
What a pox comparison…
Reckon its a good starting point, learn from what works, not much good looking at Melbourne clubs other than the Bulldogs and their adventures in Ballarat, directly comparable, small facility, relatively small crowds & state Govt funding. No one expects that to pay dividends in the short term.
You seem to not understand they are coming from a rich Aussie Rules culture that is still reeling from being used as a nursery, used & abused arguably, going back to the VFL days. This is a market crying out for footy, uncomparable with the development States.