All clubs have embraced the need to provide supporters with more excitement and a more tribal nature on game day, but some have privately expressed concerns this could turn into another "contest".

It has emerged clubs are wary of not being criticised for having the poorest match-day experience, particularly those fighting for new members and even the casual fan in an already tough market.

"Those who have the most dollars will be more adventurous and innovative with match-day fan engagement," one club chief executive said. "Some will work, some will not."

He then added: "It might be best to concentrate on having a good team on field first."

Other officials have pointed out that the smaller clubs, unlikely to have as big a budget, face the toughest test. Some clubs will spend more than $300,000 on the match-day experience, and may eventually need to hire a specialist employee to preside over the entertainment.

"We have all heard about the arms race in football-department spending; this match-day stuff could be next," said another club official.

Port Adelaide's efforts at the upgraded Adelaide Oval last season, with the use of LED signage on the non-broadcast wing of the ground, the colourful use of the big screen at particular moments and a pre-game rendition of INXS's Never Tear Us Apart, have set the benchmark. Adelaide's pre-game entertainment was also praised.

It has also been pointed out by some clubs that the atmosphere in Adelaide was enhanced by the Power and Crows boasting a predominantly parochial attendance, with the ground generally at full capacity. That won't be the case for many Melbourne-based sides, particularly when interstate teams visit.

Under this year's plan, host clubs at the MCG and Etihad Stadium will now have access to one kilometre of LED signage plus the big screens at key periods on match day.

The AFL has pointed out the match-day experience does not necessarily mean spending more money.

Essendon, as one part of their plans, have urged fans to wave their jackets during a particular time in the pre-match and post-match, in memory of Kevin Sheedy's famous wave after beating Mick Malthouse's West Coast Eagles in 1993.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire bemoaned a "sterile" atmosphere at matches last season, prompting the Magpies to revamp their cheer squad, which will now span three bays at the MCG. The Pies will also have sausage sizzles at their Olympic Park home ground before the match, with fans able to march to the MCG together.

However, the Magpies will also use fireworks and pyrotechnic displays at night games – a show other clubs say they cannot afford.

The AFL has already re-introduced kick-to-kick after certain games and brought back curtain raisers as a way of offering more for supporters on game day.

The league has not ruled out conducting a mid-season review of all clubs' match-day experience.