Couldn't agree more about lack of a competitive national League. The reason we have this current talented generation of Brennan, Palin, flint, Kemp, Thompson's, bailey etc is because the grew up in a competitive league so were prepared for the jump to the championship.
And looking forward to next season with this rising star nonsense is supposed to be getting extended, tell me who in the NFL currently is going to be ready for the step up? Maybe the lad hagon at mildenhall? Beyond that there's not going to be any riders to take the rising star places.
In the last 20/25 years riders have progressed through that level so to more or less kill it this season has been shocking IMO. If Eastbourne, Birmingham and maybe even Newcastle had the option of the competitive NDL of 3/4 years ago they may have chosen that option and wouldn't be in the situation they find themselves in.