I think a bit of the media bias is very evident:
SMH: League heads sport, AFL is second.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/
The Age: Three sections on AFL, then Horseracing, Soccer, Tennis, Cricket, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Motorsports, Cycling, Drugs in Cycling, then
rugby league then "Leaping Larry L"
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/