Departing AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has piled the pressure on Melbourne stadiums to start working with clubs in order to achieve a healthier competition and fairer gate returns.

“We do have to get better returns out of stadia in Melbourne because if you see what is going on around Australia with Adelaide Oval and the new Perth stadium and the Sydney Swans, they are all getting significantly more out of their returns at the gate,” he said during his farewell media conference.

North is Melbourne hosts its home matches at Etihad Stadium and has struggled to make a profit from some games in previous years.

“This is the heartland of football with 10 clubs. It’s terribly important both Etihad Stadium and the MCG step up to the mark.”

Demetriou also admitted a number of botched decisions had affected crowds.

Etihad has hosted four of 20 games attracting under 20,000 fans so far in 2014. However the large crowds at the new Adelaide Oval is painting a rosy picture.

“There is no doubt our game is in good shape, and we have great numbers with memberships, television ratings are up, our crowds are down in Melbourne, but on average up when you consider what is going on in Adelaide,” Demetriou said.

“There is certainly something going on around a combination of variable pricing, affordability, the schedule, the start times, we have trialled some games aggressively as part of our broadcast rights, and we are starting to find out what is working and not working.

“And all those things will be factored in. I know Gil (Gillon McLachlan) is committed to tackling this issue of affordability for our supporters going forward.”

The AFL can purchase Etihad for $30 in 2025 but is trying to obtain the stadium earlier if an adequate deal can be reached.

It’s been reported Etihad Stadium crowds are down around 11 per cent for the year.

Demetriou said stadium deals were letting the Melbourne-based clubs down and the AFL’s equalisation measures should offer some relief.

McLachlan meanwhile, says he will overhaul the poorly judged variable ticketing system when he assumed control of the league this week.