Southport a club based on the gold coast since 1961, has a strong culture and identity, has produced talented players for the AFL, financially very stable. Clubs made numerous bids to get into the AFL since 1996.
The call has been made in the past that the AFL started the WCE & Adelaide as bringing in one or 2 WAFL or SANFL clubs would split their support away from a great many people who followed other clubs. Thus they wouldn't get full support in their communities.
So, do you think people on the GC would be different? Would they dump their local allegiances & follow a local club most people hate?
Also a business model based 100% on gambling, may not be the best model for a club trying to attract families & kids don't you think? Maybe the AFL thought that too?