Most AFL supporters in NSW and Qld could trace their footy connection back to the bigger Victorian clubs. You only have to look at attendances (albeit restricted at present) with Essendon and Carlton playing at Metricon recently. Cats and Pies always draw big crowds in Sydney and Brisbane. Weather in Victoria is less than inspiring in July. Footy is always about the competition between the clubs rather than the individual clubs themselves. Why not just bring the Victorian competition, rivalry and everything to the northern states for a few weeks every season...the true footy fans will turn up...create the atmosphere.