The other thing you have to look at with AFL expansion model; vs what the NRL/ARLC should do, is that the AFL dropped a brand new franchise in an area with a growing population in a state that doesn't have a huge support for that game and already has one team in metro Sydney in the Swans. The other franchise; the GC Suns, were plopped into a tourist trap with a mostly transient population and no huge business industry there for backing (Unlike Sydney, Melb or Brisbane) in another state that already has a team and most of the demographic there support Rugby League.
What Rugby League should do is invest in at least one team in WA; which has no representation in the NRL, and capitalise on the growing RL presence there. You would be pulling in those that aren't aligned with AFL and want something bigger that the Western Force; as well as a lot of the mining and FIFO expats over there from the Eastern states who already support an NRL team and would love to see some NRL over that way.
The Storm, despite being in AFL heartland, has capitalised on Melb's love for sport in general. Yes, success of the team has helped immensely; but the NRL gave the people of Melb, especially the non-AFL supporters, something they never had.... an NRL team to follow.... as opposed to the AFL going for "more of the same" in the Rugby League heartlands that already have an AFL team in that metro area.
If I had been the AFL I would have jumped on Tasmania ages ago before brining in either GWS, or more likely the GC Suns. At least they have been screaming for a team for ages. Capitalise on the market that has no representation before jumping into enemy territory where interest is low. I think housing GWS in Blacktown was a rookie error too. They should probably make a permanent move to Canberra.