World Domination

Drawing on all resources at hand, and driving the VFL's budget well into the red, you gamble on founding 3 new teams. The Sydney Swans (in New South Wales) and the Fremantle Doctors and West Coast Eagles (in Western Australia).

"Aussie Rules", as it's fondly called, is already played on a club level throughout the west, but the team in NSW is expected to have trouble drawing supporters away from the other "footy" codes (the ARU and NRL). The public is divided on the new move, and some are baying for your blood. This is because you have paid star players large sums of money as incentive to move to the new states. The critics see this as big money messing with the people's game. Others say it is a positive step for the league.

During the first season, ticket sales in the West are booming, drawing a full crowd for big matches. Yet in Sydney, as anticipated, the season is essentially a failure. Money has been lost, and the players are unhappy. Sports fans in Sydney see VFL as an unwanted threat to the success of their own codes.

On the last day of the season, your advisor comes in to have a word with you.

"A mixed year, Mr. Merlock" he chips.

"So it has been" you say, resigned to looking out from your 10th floor office at the crowd of supporters chanting in the streets as they head home from the Grand Final. One of the five Melbourne teams has won the big match, which is not unusual. Your job should be safe, for now.

"I suppose you'll be reassessing the league's prospects up north then?" he asks, implying with his tone that the board needed an immediate answer. The board was a conglomeration of players, ex-players, media big-shots and other such fodder.

You stare out towards the sunset, considering your options. Should you wait it out?
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