Thomas was part of the working party sent to America in 2011 to research equalisation models and their effects on sporting competitions.
He described debate on the trip as "fiery" at times, but said history would commend the group for starting a process that he hopes will change the game for the better.
Thomas told AFL.com.au his club's transformation from an organisation with a bleak future to the one on the verge of "something significant" showcased why equalisation would enhance the League.
"In 2011 we had 29,000 members, today we've got 43,500 and it'll probably go to 50,000. We had an average attendance of 19,000 people, last year it was 28,000. Our television audiences went up 30 per cent," Thomas said.
"What it showed was that if you make the right changes and support clubs that are in trouble then those clubs can turn around, and if they do they are better for the competition.
"That has to be good for the competition and we're living proof of it."
The AFL released a statement on Wednesday that said any club that received equalisation help would be made accountable for the funds it received.
Thomas said he welcomed greater scrutiny from the AFL.
"The knock on that is that there are clubs who through mismanagement or, worse, cheating or doing the wrong thing, become a drain on the competition," he said.
"I think it's quite reasonable for a Hawthorn or West Coast to say 'Why should we be supporting those clubs?'
"Part of this solution will be a much higher level of transparency and accountability and AFL scrutiny on the management on recipient clubs.
"We've demonstrated what can happen in a positive way, but we've also lived through being in desperate need of support.
"We were given that support and we have no problem being accountable for that."
Thomas laughed off the possibility that compensation would lessen the desire for recipient clubs to help themselves.
"Don't be concerned about clubs not trying, or sitting back on their laurels and resting, you're not in that sort of environment.
"Anyone who would suggest that a club in an elite environment isn't striving for excellence is kidding themselves - that's just not reality.
"What is realistic is that there are factors standing in our way that mean we can never compete on equal footing and those things need to be recognised.
"There's a lot of debate about the COLA (the cost of living allowance) - that's an inequity. Justified or not, that's an inequity in our system.
"The veterans' allowance is an inequity.
"We'll find a way through those things but they've got to be recognized, and if they're creating too much inequity I think they need to be changed."
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
