IMO since then either the Nix/A-League havn't/hasn't progresed as much as people think. Or the ASB players ( esp. ACFC ones ) have got better/fitter/more committed, i.e. more professional. I tend to think the latter, and that's a tribute to Ramon, the club, and the World Club Cup as much as anything else.
Don't forget about the Trillion Trust.
I'm not even being an arse about it for once (setting aside debates about legitimacy and the impact that funding has on the ASBP as a whole for a minute).
You simply cannot discuss the success of ACFC without acknowledging the Trillion Trust.
And I'm sure the higher-ups at ACFC would agree with me.