They talk about us like we (QLD / SEQ) are a battle ground. There is no battle. We are Rugby League here always have been, always will be. If there is a battle it would be like a 15 year old smashing his 8 year old brother in an arm wrestle.
I know it is written to get clicks etc. but the AFL are no chance if they think they'll one day dominate here. The game is supported by ex pats, that's it. Yes, there are shit loads of them here but not all of their children will follow AFL, a good percentage will assimilate into the dominant culture which is RL.
I know this for a fact because I'm one of them, both of my parents are Victorian (the shame, I know - don't worry though, I'm a born and bred QLDer). My dad played AFL at a decent level being a first grader for Southport. His whole family (all living in QLD) were AFL tragics. My mum's family still lives in Melbourne and we had regular trips down there for Christmas' etc. All of them AFL tragics too.
This all had zero impact on my brother and I though, because we grew up watching the QLD state of origin heroes, we grew up as the Broncos were entering the comp and as they quickly grew to be the dominant club in the 90's.
It was devastating for my dad when I told him as a 6 year old that I wanted to sign up to play Rugby League for my local club Wynnum Manly. But he took me a long and before too long he was taking me to Broncos games and getting into it himself.
AFL is an ex pat game here. Yes, some kids will stick with their family and become AFL tragics, but most will either watch both or assimilate and follow the NRL because it's cool to do so here.