The point of WA3 is Perth has over 1 million people per team & is an Aussie rules strong hold. Thats about twice the number of people per team that Melbourne has per team. WA3 would still make it some 700k per team, still much more than Melbourne/Geelong
Also Sydney, despite its population, will probably never really support 2 clubs. It has 8 NRL clubs who don't pull the crowds most AFL clubs do. Thus the support for all football codes is Sydney is limited.
So the Mantra of 2 clubs per state outside of Victoria is bent. Its obviously ridiculous.
Use that population growth and economy to make the WAFL stronger. I believe the investment that can be put towards a 3rd WA AFL team would be better spent towards a WA NRL team.
19th team will definitely be Tasmania, and I think by then Canberra will put a strong case for the 20th spot.
Vic - 10
NSW - 2
WA - 2
QLD - 2
SA - 2
Tas - 1
ACT - 1
Yes it's skewed in Victoria's favour but that's just the reality of the league, as the AFL is Victorian in origin.
I'm not against relocation as it worked out well for South Melbourne, but I don't think that's on the table anymore. AFL will only expand with new stadiums and new franchises from hereon.
The only way I see less teams in Victoria is if the AFL created a 2nd division similar to the NPL in regards to the A-League (so no pro-reg) and putting some of the weaker Victorian clubs in that league, alongside some stronger non-afl alligned state league clubs like Norwood, Subiaco, Port Melbourne, etc.