For the National Comp, thinking outside the box here..... why not have a knock out type system??
A real loose example:
16 teams - Top 5 Qld teams, Top 5 Shute teams, 2 ACT, 2 Melb, 1 SA, 1 WA etc etc.
Knock out comp. Seedings, but not sure of criteria on how to seed?? Open for suggestions? Percentage for and against??
Top 8 seeded teams travel away to bottom 8 seeded teams. 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15 and so on. (8 games) Advantage of being seeded top - travel away to play - Disadvantage of being seeded top - travel away to play
Might even a few games up??
The 8 winners are through to the next round. Same draw system based on original seedings, 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 etc. Top 4 seeds play away. (4 games)
Top 4 winners through to Semi's, BUT they have the home game now. (2 games)
Then the Final at the highest seeded teams major stadium. e.g. Ballymore if the QLD team in the final is a higher seed than the other team. (1 game)
4 week knock out comp - or could stretch it out even longer. Try it out, see how it goes!!
Funded by ARU of course!! Fly Sat morning, play Sat night, home Sunday lunchtime. (WA travel might be different?)
Just a thought...
As you were