That's the point.
We have the numbers after all we were the number 1 team in the 60's and 70's yet Pies and Blues and Bombers have the power. These three clubs have proved they can survive without a strong on field Richmond and that's how they like it as they all know once the sleeping giant awakens a minimum of 60000 at each home game at the G and that includes games against some of the interstate clubs.
To draw parrallel lines it's much like the Liverpool Arsenal Everton Nottingham Forest dominated English club scene in the 70's and 80's and one European trophies while Man Utd underachieved and won a token trophy here and there and had an occassional win against the Liverpool's and such to keep the fans happy. After all Man Utd did get relegated in 1974 a mere 6 years after winning their first European Cup. When they arrived in 1993 they have never looked backed with challenges of Blackburn, Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool falling by the wayside while the red devil current dynasty still endures.
We need to follow that model used at Old Trafford.
Get the team competitive to rise up the ladder.
Play two years of successive finals.
Stability off field and allow coach to be ruthless and make on field decisions with his recruiters and assistants.
Fans will come, members will sign up, won't be seen as tokenism by club to boost coffers.
Crowds will rise. Aura about us will rise. Perceptions about us will change we will be a genuine drawcard.
With that comes money, and power as we will be seen as a money spinner. Win win for RFC and fans and AFL plus our stadia deals.
If the club has done all that right then a premiership dynasty is a mere formality.
In the early 90's all those that despised Man Utd were glad to see they fail. Why?
Because
a) They feared them if they did rise to power.
b) Jealousy of their famous name, world wide fan base.
Now most of those people who laughed back then may still hate them but not as vehemently as they did 20 years ago and in fact have a huge respect for them and even are happy to celebrate their continental success.
Things can change people so can perceptions and auras. The fans are there and that is the foundation. Do it now RFC before the people jump off.