If it ain't broke no need to fix it.
Whenever u consider changes at the top level you have to work out what will happen in the lower grades hence the system we have now. When we had 10 in A1 we had 4 first X1 teams in A2 and then 4 2nd X1 teams to make up the numbers. These 4 teams went into each season pretty much the best they could was maybe sneak into 4th spot but no hope of a premiership. Also the standard of these 2nd X1 teams fluctuates so much more from season to season and even week to week resulting in outright losses, in some cases in one day. This flows right through to the A3s as well. The bottom four in the A2 would smash the A3 sides.
8 teams is the perfect number for all 2 day grades allowing for 7 one day and 7 two day games
None of the clubs are concerned with a bye, certainly thats what the delegates relay at committee meetings, seems to be only some posters on here.