You do need to differentiate the difference between Football & the top tier level football in this country.
You just need to look at pre 2005 the lowest ebb of the NSL, not that the NSL had any heights & then 2005/06 happened with Socceroos & football was huge in this country. Likewise the A-league has been struggling now for 5-6 years & suddenly 2022 WC & women's WC in Australian in 2023, suddenly Australia was football mad again.
Now the fact that Football admin in this country has never been able to take advantage of these gifts is another issue. Not only only accepting gifts, but throw them back into the face of us fans.
I can assure you that Football (NOT A-LEAGUE) is far bigger than AFL (the sport) in Sydney. Yes AFL (competition) is bigger than A-league, no doubt, but most people in Sydney would have better idea of who Ronaldo & Messi are than any AFL player.
As for your reference about AFL to China & NRL to US, that is so small it's not funny & Tasmania & Pacific Islands, the slice of revenue is tiny. Sam Kerr & Mary Fowler are far bigger than any NRLW or AFLW players.
Don't believe in your Melbourne media.
Now if you are talking about A-League I agree, if you talking about Football, no way do I agree.