Extremely long term, they'll still be saying that in 100 years.
AFL are no longer the innovators in Australian sport and they peaked as an organisation a while back evidenced by GWS, GCS Suns and Tasmania, they've run out of places that are viable, and the cities that have the population to be viable don't care much for the game
Meanwhile the NRL had 11 applications for expansion in 3 different countries and a WA Government begging for a team. We will spend nothing on expansion whilst the AFL continue to piss money down the drain on GWS and GC and expand to err.... Darwin and Tasmania.
AFL is the kid who peaked in high school, the NRL is the man hitting his straps in his 40s after enduring and overcoming some tough times.