On-field
1. Trade away Newton, Green, Robertson (should've been traded last year), Wheatley, Miller, Sylvia. We could work out something that would somehow result in a top 25 pick for each of those players (including some throw-ins in trades involving Newton and Green/Robbo). That would leave us with 5-8 top 25 draft picks ala. Hawthorn.
3. Jones, Brock, Davey, Rivers, Bartram are future/current leaders.
2. Recruit big bodied, KPP instead of tall, puny players with legs that replicate Elle Mcpherson's.
3. Tank
4. Sign a star from another team. With Neitz, Yze, White and Macca all set to retire in the next 2 years, our salary cap will open up dramatically and no other player worth 400k+. Maybe include Bruce or Robbo in the trade filler.
Off-field
1. Stick with Melbournefc and establish the club as "Melbourne's football club" instead of the Melbourne Demons.
2. Re-develop core geographic supporting areas. Break into boom areas like Casey.
3. Continue on the Chinease path, although it doesn't seem to be really working.
4. Bring back former players, Lyon, Swarta, Lovell (now at Sandy), Lovett etc. to promote the team and vent their own concern. This creates awareness and the public subconciously wants to get involved.
5. [censored] the club to the upper-class. I know that sounds pretentious, but like McNamee or whatever his name is said, make our weakness our strength. People put this stereotype on MFC supporters as posh and rich. If so, attract those people to the club. Throw memberships and marketing to big companies and executives. Get them on board. Hold exclusive parties. Get celebrities otherwise without an AFL team to get on board.
6. Get in the paper more. Hold press-conferences, get into the paper and create awareness, even for the wrong reasons.
7. Every team is on their own. Go out against other teams/coaches. Make a line in the sand and make Melbourne the most hated club in the competition; if lots of people hate you, lots of people probably love you too. See Collingwood.
I know this has probably already been said and it's not like the MFC hasn't already thought of all of this (though I won't be surprised if they haven't), that's what I would do had I had some influence at the club.