Wondering if we could have the existing 'your position is safe' franchises and add a much cheaper franchise where they are not guaranteed safety in the league.

In principle, the cheap franchises would be a part of a 'sooner' future with P/R - maybe giving them a guarantee of safety until we get the number of clubs we want then P/R for clubs with the second tier franchise.

It would make it affordable for Canberra, Gold Coast, Fury, Tasmania, Adelaide 2 and whoever else might then be able/willing to join.

It would allow simple P/R with the second division structure as soon as we had the 18/20(?) teams we want for our top flight competition - as far as 'simple' with safe legacy teams is.

Nothing needs to change with existing 'legacy' franchises and if they fold over time they are replaced by the second tier of franchises - unless they represent the only team in their state/capital city then maybe the state/city has the option of a first tier high cost licence to keep a specific national interest about the league.

Some would claim it unfair to have 'safe' teams in the competition, but I would expect plenty of teams would still strive to make it into the top league through P/R the same as clubs want to represent at the highest they can achieve.

It would be our own Aussie system, and I can see it working. I don't know much about global club football but it might even be unique enough to cater to the 'we're Aussie and different' thinkers as well.

It could also happen 'immediately'.