my experience this that is not very true... some people did start to attend the merged teams games ... however I know many fans of the original unmerged teams and there is a deep simmering resentment that thier teams and culture was destroyed... particularly Balmain, Illawara and Norths fans. I know many people that have not returned to the game.

Personally before the merge I was a Wests fan... but will not support the TIgers... I became a Cronulla fan instead (by virtue of where I live)

The RFL need to invest heavily in the championships otherwise as starbug rightly says the quality will be drained from the structure at that level.
The gap is only going to get bigger between the championships and SL unless the RFL address the problem, supporter levels will drop if what is left of the glimmer of hope dies, and with that so does higher end semi pro RL at any level, and any opportunity for good player development outside of SL.

So do you want fewer Championship clubs to go up, to keep the Championship more interesting?

The franchise system isn't going to alter, as much as we moan, because why would any super league chairman vote for a system that may be disastrous for their business?

I can see the benefits of franchising. For instance, we know that Glover can rebuild this club, allow a coach to find his feet, let the coach bring through youngsters. and does not have to worry that next year it will be all in vain. So for the clubs, there are a lot of advantages that far outweigh the disadvantages.

The problem I have as a sports fan is that the roller coaster has been replaced with a merry go round, and at the bottom it's all a bit pointless.

The last third of the season is like a series of friendlies - pointless.

What about the system in South America where the average league position ovef 3 years determines relegation with a one year exemption for newly promoted clubs.

Oh wait.. a big club got relegated and they changed the rules which would never happen here.

There are only 2 long term outcomes of the franchise system.
Either pull up the draw bridge when the RFL have their chosen mix of "elite" clubs or find a way of having SL1 and SL2 with promotion and relegation between the 2 divisions.
However, the consequences of these 2 sets of circumstances are pretty dire for the lower league clubs who are not involved.
For the long term future of the sport there MUST be a pathway between the different leagues and some way of expanding the game ?