Look at the figures quoted for the Panthers, can understand them pushing for changes to the cap. It would be nice to be in that position with a lot of success and wanting to push for changes to sustain that.
For us you need to add the travel costs.
Running the club would have been expensive before. Adding all of the age group sides would increase the clubs' expenses significantly. I watched a video (might have been 6 Tackles with Gus) a while back where Gould said the NRL was picking up the costs as part of helping the club after the pandemic. I don't know if that is true or not, or how long this is happening, or if it is partially subsidized from the NRL. Gould has been gone from the club for a few years now this could all be something that was discussed or he has heard from V'landys or around the NRL.
The main think to me like all of the other talk of changes we have heard over the years. The club sticks to this. Having players coming through at different ages playing for the club and getting used to the travel back and forth to Australia would help prepare them for first grade.