I agree with everyone else. In your case I'd go with the VA option. Air Sydney (sorry I mean QF) might have a spare metal standing around in case of IROPs but VA by all means is reliable (unlike Tiger or Single star). Down the back your service will be as non existing as with any other carrier. Just get your extra legroom and you'll be right (I'm 202 and find no difference between VA and QF exit rows).

I'm a QF Platinum myself and gave up on getting those points upgrades on BNE-PER-BNE a long time ago. Should only be harder flying out of Sydney.