The very old saying every cloud has a silver lining.

The errors of the past management of the APL are well stated and recorded. The result  as well all know, is a huge reduction in funding from the broadcast deal.

What this will do is force clubs to change the way they operate.

The Mariners have always sold players to stay afloat, more recently so have Adelaide.

JJ has spoke at length about clubs needing to develop transfer fees as a regular part of their operating model.

Two things I think will emerge, all clubs will start to play younger players which will be slightly cheaper, but if each club developed one player per year who was sold overseas and we had 14 clubs.

That is 14 players, off to Europe, Japan, MLS or wherever to further develop. Over time we could have over 100 locally developed players playing overseas.

That will be very good for National sides, arguably cheaper to run, and many good players in their mid teens staying in Football rather than take up league or AFL.

The news is not good, but it may force change at club level administration.