That pretty much sums up my feelings re whether there should be an independent body right now.  If it went independent right now, would the AFL still put in what they do now, and if not, what would the impact be, especially in South Africa and South Pacific, and to the International Cup?  Not good I would suggest.

I reckon that over the last 2-3 years, that the AFL has progressively exceeded expectations on the international front (in certain key areas). 

It'd be naive to expect the AFL to exceed expectations in all areas - because any budgetted process will have compromises, and the AFL has had to build it's own internal hierarchies on the fly as well. 

For the foreseeable future, that the AFL is now actually planning, and aiming to strategically grow the international dimensions with now very realistic outcomes in mind - compared to even 5 years ago when it could've been regarded as 'pie in the sky' stuff, and that the public and media are slowing starting to come around.

I'd suggest on that, the AFL has to be entrusted for the short to medium term at least.  That, and they have the money and the influence.