See I don’t see it that way. I don’t want to go to Leichhardt or Campbelltown to watch the Magpies anymore than I would to see the Dolphins. It’s not just “old Balmain types”, although I think you underestimate how many WT fans/members fit that category, who would be resistant. I don’t care if they’re playing in Balmain heritage jumpers - it’s not my team and I’d see it as a cynical attempt to appropriate the history of Balmain.
I don’t think you get that a huge chunk of people who are currently supporters and members wouldn’t see this as a simple name change, it’s a completely new concept. There’d be a few poorly attended LO games and then it’d be Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown full time. How many ex Norths fans do you think support Manly?
To cover your final point, a total takeover is exactly how it would be perceived.