NEW Melbourne chief executive Paul McNamee, just four weeks into the job, has expressed his disgust at a national betting market on how few people would turn up to the game between Melbourne and Fremantle at the MCG.

McNamee said it was unfair to supporters of both teams and did not recognise how important the result was to both clubs.

In a candid interview, he revealed he would employ the skills he used to bring the world's best tennis players to Perth's Hopman Cup to help land a new marquee player to Melbourne by as early as next year.

McNamee also said Channel Seven would be given exclusive pre-match access to the Melbourne change rooms to make the most of a rare promotional opportunity provided through free-to-air television coverage.

He has also arranged approval for fans to be able to have a kick on the MCG after today's match — the first time in several years this has happened.

Last year's corresponding game drew just 16,654 fans and reportedly cost the Demons $50,000. McNamee said betting on low attendance figures was distasteful.

"It's way too early to put the flag up, way too early and I think it's a throw-away line which isn't really relevant because our members care and the Freo members care," McNamee said.

"We're playing our role to help the sport go forward and our clubs go forward."

McNamee said that with injured captain David Neitz flagging his retirement at the end of the season, Melbourne would be in the market for a big-name signing.

"I don't have the football expertise, obviously, but I can bring something to the table in how to deal with high-profile athletes," he said.

"I've had to deal with Agassi and Becker and McEnroe and Graf and Seles — we've had 19 (world) No. 1s come to the Hopman Cup, so I've had a lot of experience dealing with people with big personalities.

"That might mean that I can chip in if we're in a position to get a marquee player as part of our blueprint for the future.

"I'd probably be in the mix because I know how the top players think and what makes them tick. When opportunity knocks, you have to be in a position to take advantage of it."

WEST AUSTRALIAN