JETS captain Nigel Boogaard has urged the game's decision makers to involve all stakeholders, including players, when they map out the future of the sport in Australia.
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But for now, Boogaard is focused on maintaining his fitness levels in the hope that the A-League resumes in the next two months.
The national league is in the balance after the competition was postponed 12 days ago due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. The situation will be reviewed on April 22.
The league is underpinned by a $56 million broadcast deal with Foxtel. Without any games to televise, the pay TV company are yet to cough up the latest $12 million quarterly installment, which is carved and distributed to the clubs to cover wages.
The longer the league is held up, the greater the financial pressure on clubs.
The Jets were among seven clubs this week to stand down players and staff without pay.
"We knew once a few clubs headed in that direction it was inevitable," Boogaard said. "The club have kept us as informed as much as they could throughout the process. There is so much up in the air. We just have to sit and wait and see how everything pans out.
"As players we have to do the right thing by the game. For us, the right thing is to keep training and make sure if we go back and play, that we are ready to do so. Ultimately, that is what we are here to do."
Boogaard, like all of his teammates, has set up a home gym and is training in the back yard.
"As a playing group, we are trying to stay fit," Boogaard said. "The club has done the right thing and given us training programs to maintain fitness. The back deck is covered with kids' toys, there is spin bike in the corner with some kettle bells and a bit of a made up gym."
As well as being stood down, the Jets had one of their squad test positive to COVID-19. The player, who is in self isolation, was asymptomatic.
No other players have shown symptoms yet but Boogaard said they were aware of their responsibilities to the community and were following strict protocols.
The Professional Footballers Australia players union have threatened legal action against the owners if the players are not reinstated.
Football Federation Australia boss James Johnson this week called for unity and the end of self interest to get through the crisis.
Boogaard, who is a member of the PFA executive, echoed that sentiment.
"With any decisions involving the league, I think the stakeholders should come together to work towards a solution," Boogaard said. "That would only benefit everyone. There is lot up in the air for the next two months. But what does the game look like for the next three years, five years, 10 years. That is the uncertainty. All stakeholders need to come together and discuss what it is going to look like and where things need to change.
"Whether people are willing to compromise and go from there. The PFA should be at the table. Ideally we would be in a position to ride this pandemic out but unfortunately we are in a position that we are."
Boogaard is one of eight Jets off contract and among 120 players with an uncertain future after May 31, when arrangements currently end.
"I am waiting to see what happens in the next two months," he said. "There is obviously a big decision to make on April 22 to see what happens with the league moving forward. I suppose there is a lot of things to play out beyond that. If they decide to push the league back and it is still the same competition, there will be 120 players off contract. How do they fit into that? There are too many permutations to think beyond these next few weeks. Then we reassess and go from there."
