The best football teams play to their strengths and that is why they win more often. Its a simple game.
In Dunedin, the top teams' strength of attacking pace and power almost always wins. Pretty possession football can only get you so far and if you are only going to be able to play at your best when the pitch is flat and smooth then you are not going to get very far at all.
For Southern, they are not going to match other teams in terms of skill and Technical ability. Their strength (in theory) is defensive solidity and utilising the hard work that is so prevalent in Dunedin football. Every player can compete in terms of hard work and determination. Southern are 2/3 quality players away from competing with most of the league and that is where the monetary differences play a part.