The AFL's fingerprints will be all over the rebuilt Melbourne board and management following a review into the Demons' executive released on Wednesday.
The internal board review has recommended the new Melbourne president have the support of the AFL - which has attached stringent conditions to a financial package aimed at helping a club struggling both on and off-field this season.
The AFL has previously signalled it will have a major say in the composition of the Demons board, while it has endorsed the club's recently-appointed chief executive Peter Jackson.
The review, chaired by Demons board member John Trotter, found the club's board had lost the confidence of the AFL, members and key stakeholders.
"Once the new board is in place, the appointment of a new president who has the support of the AFL is seen as a critical step in ensuring that the MFC is in the best position to give renewed confidence to the members, key stakeholders and the AFL (and) provide a stable environment as a means of attracting key personnel and retaining current players," the review says.
Already this season Demons chief executive Cameron Schwab has been forced to resign, while president Don McLardy stepped down in June, as have several board members.
The Demons also sacked coach Mark Neeld after a run of dismal on-field form.
Interim coach Neil Craig said on Wednesday prior to the report's release that the club was vulnerable to losing players because of instability.
"Of course it is, absolutely it is," Craig said.
"That's why you try to build a culture of greatness, so that you can recruit, train and retain.
"It's no good us putting our head in the sand and saying we have that culture at the moment. But that's where we're going."
The Demons have several prominent out-of-contract players, including Jack Watts and Colin Sylvia.
The AFL has supported the findings and recommendations of the report.
"The AFL is satisfied that the board review process undertaken by the Melbourne Football Club was robust and the recommendations are supported by the AFL," league general counsel Andrew Dillon said.
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