Some aspects just seem objectively unfair, like for example, suspensions.

Bradford Bulls hooker Mitch Souter picked up a deserved two-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Wigan Warriors’ Jack Farrimond last Saturday.

But as some readers have correctly realised, the little Australian can use Bradford’s reserves game against London Broncos today to knock a match off that suspension.

Souter is a first-team player, who almost certainly would not have been selected for the reserves today given his big minutes against Hull KR and the Warriors.

But if that ridiculous loophole, which will also be exploited by Hull FC to wipe out Amir Bourouh one-match ban completely, exists why wouldn’t head coaches use it?

For me, your suspension should be served in the competition you picked it up in, because you start wandering into the unjust category.

Keighley Cougars winger David Foggin-Johnston has a two-game ban for Grade D Head Contact for example, but he is not as lucky as Souter or Bourouh, because his team don’t have a reserves side to allow him to ‘play in’.

David Foggin-Johnston plays for Keighley, who don’t have a reserves side. (Image: Shaun Harrison)

Most Championship clubs cannot afford that luxury, while in fact, Cougars cannot afford many luxuries at the moment, releasing a statement last week admitting they were choosing to ‘live within their means’.

It is little wonder, given the chaos that has befallen other Championship clubs this year, more on them later, but then you see the real-life impact that has had.

Keighley released Ben Dean and Eoin Bowie this week, with the official reason being ‘limited game time’ for the pair.

That is true, certainly based on Keighley’s matchday squads so far this year, but it also makes no sense for Cougars, who are tightening their belts, to have excess salaries on their balance sheet.

Saying goodbye to Dean and Bowie will free up some much-needed cash for Keighley, but it is a shame it has to be this way.

Dean has been a popular half back ever since he arrived from Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2024 season.

He would have played far more for Cougars had it not been for some terrible injury setbacks.

The 22-year-old, along with Bowie, has been hastily parachuted in by struggling North Wales Crusaders, more on them later, for this weekend, so let’s hope that ends up being a permanent home for him.

A lot is being made about objectively good things in Super League this year, Bulls bringing in five-figure crowds to Odsal again, the return of derbies between Bradford and Leeds Rhinos, as well as the two French clubs, record ticket sales for Magic Weekend etc.

Around 10,000 fans turned up to watch Bulls’ first game back at Odsal in Super League for 12 years, with their side beating Catalans on a Friday night in February. (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

And with all Super League games being televised too, eyes are on the sport.

But again, this is at the top level, whereas it feels as if the Championship is being left to rot.

And the only time second-tier clubs tend to be in the news currently is when there is some kind of financial strife or failed ownership.

Salford and Halifax Panthers were both liquidated over the winter and had to start again, the latter getting deducted 12 points because their reformation occurred during the season.

Oldham are finally heading back to Boundary Park after the end of chairman Bill Quinn’s tenure, while the historic Featherstone Rovers were not even allowed to play this year due to a rejected takeover bid.

The bar for accepting must be pretty low at the RFL too, given the extraordinary situation at North Wales Crusaders.

As exclusively revealed by John Davidson this week, more and more creditors have come forward alleging they are owed money by Egg Chaser, the company run by Arun and Bobby Watkins, which also owned North Wales.

Thankfully, former owner Jamie El-Kaleh has now retaken the reins, but North Wales have a 12-point deduction like Halifax and are essentially on trial from the RFL for the rest of the year, as they look to ensure the club can be financially viable in the long term.

But it doesn’t change some of the damage caused, as hundreds of people, from payers to catering staff, are all allegedly owed money.

Cougars thrashed North Wales last month, but then the Crusaders called off their next two fixtures as a result of their financial difficulties. (Image: Shaun Harrison)

It will be a heck of an ask for the blameless El-Kaleh to reimburse them all.

This week, Hunslet CEO Neil Hampshire conceded it is widely accepted that other Championship clubs may fall into financial trouble in this bloated, jeopardy-free Championship thanks to IMG, which now isn’t even awarding points for winning the 1895 Cup.

It means the strongly-rumoured proposal for 2027, to have Championship sides become affiliated with a Super League club is an idea with legs.

Personally, I don’t like it, especially if I were a fan of a second-tier club, suddenly being puppeteered by a Super League one, while it was also kill the reserve grade’s top flight.

At least theoretically, it might be easier for Cougars make use of Bradford players if those two were affiliated, but Keighley are their own brand and club.

Co-owner Ryan O’Neill has already blated the plans on X, saying: “Absolutely dreadful.

“The end of town’s having sporting pride and identity.”

Championship fans cannot help but feel as if they would become a feeder club, at the beck and call of their Super League ‘daddy’.

But then it feels like the RFL are running out of options, as it only seems to finally be dawning on them just how serious the Championship crisis is this year.

Do they have a solution up their sleeve that could appease anyone?