Think I understood you well.
Alas, free play would be available to the big CCs, too, the leaders simply put more players on the field. Let them whack the sh*t out with Starter balls, no chance either for others, and no win-win.
Me thinks, Clashes are inevitably including CC pass buys and the Golden Calf. IMHO, we are meant to spend your money for no prize of any value. See no way to improve this rotten equation, so we might as well play other games.
My two Pfennig!