It didn't work last time because the population was too small. Nothing has changed in the meantime. The Fury could probably get good crowds if they had a good team for a few seasons but long term they are always inevitably going to struggle.
If the population was too small why does the NRL have the Qld Cowboys?
The population was too small to sustain an A-League team. Rugby league is far bigger than soccer in Townsville (as far as I know) and the Cowboys don't get great crowds. Central Coast are from a slightly bigger area but have been the most successful team in the history of the A-League (I think by competition points) and are close to a much bigger population base which gives them 3 local rivalries. Geelong can compete in the AFL probably because they are fanatical and they have local rivalries.
I think you are very optimistic if you think Townsville can sustain a team which can average 10,000 long term. 10,000 seems to be the magic crowd number and below that you need someone to fund you. Not sure how many of those exist in Townsville.
That is my view also. You would get better luck inviting a Wollongong team to join A-League (the Wolves were a club with good history and strong community roots, plus successful on the park in the old NSL). South Coast of NSW is as strong as the Central Coast in terms of youth development. A similar case can be made for Canberra.