I actually think it would be better pursuing a Hybrid game with AFL. At least central to both games is the competition for the ball at all times.
Not sure if its ever been contemplated. AFL boys would have to toughen up a fair bit and then sort out the tackling.
I find it hard to believe that an AFL and union have more commonalities and more likely to get off the ground then a union // league game.
The only real logical position I find agreeable with your comment is something like:-
I enjoy both AFL and union and not league therefore I would prefer this sort of game. Why you enjoy AFL / union and not league, someone might pretend that its rules / flow etc, but in reality it is more likely cultural thing.
NRL changed its rules to allow more one on one strips - making it allowable at any time when it is a one on one tackle as opposed to not allowed if at any time there is two in a tackle. So in 2019 you saw josh hodgson do 14 strips in a season.
Whilst fighting over possession isnt still what it used to be back in the day, it still has a big role. Not as big as union, but equally union back in the day every man and their dog within a 30 metre radius would jump in, in a maul or a ruck, nowadays better sides are more concerned with having their defensive line set (ala league) then contesting every possession.
That is all by the by, though the real reason I posed and responded to this one in particular, is in my opinion, previously strong rugby people are now slowly playing AFL (you dont see this so much in league) all good for the kids, more skills the better.
But for the parents who pretend to follow Union / AFL for some sort of class virtue signalling (which is admittedly inferring a lot from your post that may not be there) that kind of person, I have found is generally wanting.
On a slightly related but different note - Is anyone attached the super rugby or club brands. I.e. if the waratahs were in the NRL playing with players from its GPS GAS pathways would you guys like it or not?