yeah totally, club rivalries dont die just because a coach/player leaves. Thye may be the reason it started but it has created the first genuine reason to dislike another club. So much better than the conspired "distance derby"
Each to their own. But to me a scenario where the head villain & all the minions have left (or retired) doesn't feel like any sort of rivalry anymore. Left smelling as contrived as a distance derby.
WU and their small collection of fans will be looking at Melb City & VUC for their grudge games, barely giving a 2nd thought to the Nix as being different to any other non Victorian club.