Do you know that Cronulla tried to do what you are suggesting 10 or more years ago?
They had discussions with the Wyong Roos about starting this up to get traction on the CC, I recall that they were saying it was a goer.
The Roosters caught on and bought off Wyong before the Sharks put a foot hold in.
The same thing happened with the Fiji team scenario playing in lower grades. The Sharks started it, it was pretty big news with Petro onboard. Roosters came in over the top once again.
I'm not having a go at Easts btw, they have done great work on the CC, I'm saying that Cronulla have been exploring avenues for a while now, moreso than what other clubs have. All the while they set up their junior programmes near the end of the Sticky days, and continued on through Flange and Morris, and still going strong. This was before the Panthers set up their programmes with Gould, their resources have a higher gauge and are reaping the benefits.
Cronulla are attempting to get a foot hold at Coffs, once again playing a home game there. They also were going to buy another Club in Coffs but I think that isn't going ahead.