I’m selfish. My interest in the a league would drop significantly without a Newcastle team.
Though, working in Sydney, I’d probably get along to the odd game, but nowhere near as invested (or tortured) as I am
now.

I think a second tier serves a purpose. But I just can’t see any current a league club being able to survive in the second tier.
Australians simply don’t follow or appreciate 2nd best. It’s a great means to promote clubs. But I dare say any team relegated would cease to exist and realistically not stand a chance at promotion. While we still have overseas owners and groups bankrolling our clubs, there will be minimal interest in finding a second tier team when you could be wasting your money on a top tier team.

Players aren’t going to “drop back” to help their club gain promotion. Signing and holding players to multi year contracts won’t be viable in a second tier. End up with Vargas and Dimi playing 2nd tier? I doubt it.

The top 10 teams or however many in the top division will simply continue to rearrange the top 200 players in the country. Same shit, different clubs.