I'm sure NRL's are too.
But what I see over years in schools and other teachers I speak to shows AFL much bigger presence than it used to be, so I don't doubt the trend.
Ok mate, let's assume those AFL figures are true (lol). 9% sounds impressive but from a small base, it's not that impressive in real numbers.
You are falling for the old AFL propaganda trap. Something like 40,000 Victorians have moved to SEQ since the Vic border opened up after COVID. You aren't converting locals in any sort of impressive numbers, you are just importing cult members. One or two generations on and their kids will just fall in line with the dominant sporting culture. I know because I'm the son of Victorians who moved here. My dad even played at State League level for Southport Sharks (back then they were Southport Magpies). I couldn't have given less of a shit. Because Rugby League was the thing. My friends, on TV, the dominant sport in the media.
Now, AFL propaganda will have you believe that this is a generational play and that by the time these kids have grown up AFL would have taken over and become the dominant sporting culture, but it hasn't played out that way. In their arrogance, they added additional teams in Sydney and SEQ and it's actually hurt the product and canabalised the existing teams. Lions and Swans crowds are down, GWS and Suns remain a black hole with ordinary crowds despite the AFL rigging the comp to bring them success on the ladder. And the latest TV ratings are dire.
You can't just throw millions and millions of dollars at something and buy hearts and minds. It comes from culture and connection and history. Something the AFL suits in Melbourne underestimated.