The problem that the NRL has is the sheer wealth of some of the clubs, Penrith own 37 venues in NSW and their leagues club makes the Adelaide Casino look tame. The problem is that they dont have to rely on getting people through the gate and are all to happy to telecast half full stadiums each weekend because the $$$ stil roll in anyway. Keeps the club going fine, but generating new supporters in a competitive market of AFL and Soccer is a challenge that the NRL are not meeting.
Still either will the AFL setting up in Western Sydney, that is a stupid idea that should be abandoned in favor of a side in Tassie which long term is a far better chance of survivial than a side and code that many residents in Western Sydney are openly hostile towards!