Another option I put forward on some forums a few years back:
Have a full 2 round, 34 game season with no pre-season competition and no mid season break or bye. Then only allow every player to play a maximum of say 26-28 games for the season (not including finals) and leave it to the clubs to strategically decide which games to play and miss for every player. You would need to increase the size of the playing list by at least 10 players to cope with this but the large increase in league revenue driven by extended television rights and attendances would cover that. Brings the competition back to a level playing field, looks after the players welfare, increases the strategic role of the football department and coaches, gives the public more football, and allows the league to play more games in non-traditional country and interstate locations.
Just an idea.