Actually, while the issues of time and place are important, the main thing the AFL could try to do to improve the participation rates and the team quality would be to find major sponsors to help teams with travel costs. I know this is the only thing stopping many nations from coming. And it will help some of the others who are already involved to field better teams.

Imagine the ultimate scenario where all teams flights and accommodation are paid for (we can dream!) - I am sure you would get 20+ teams, no matter what time of year, which location, or whether there was AFL footy to watch or not.