Immediate success for clubs like Melb under Daniher coming out of merger talks or North post Carey and Pagan is what lifts their bottom line. But for success to be longlasting and nurtured further from previous seasons you need to spend more and more money in subsequent seasons.
Otherwise clubs who have lots of money Interstate clubs, Collingwood Hawthorn will outbid you in the trade/draft free agency market and outspend you in the footy department and ultimately that's where Premiership campaigns are either ignited or just grey ashes blowing in the wind.
I think North may think they were closer to a flag than their Prelim may have indicated much like us post 2001. Topped up with blokes like Waite, Higgins etc and got beaten badly yesterday.
Time will tell if the Richmond 2001 analogy can be made with them. I hope so.
So you can also have coaches, admins within a club selling snake oil to the media, fans and greater footy community to promote a positive environment ready to take the next step only for it to fall flat on their face due to on off and on field issues.
I must say it is only round 1.
