another thing i dont really understand is (and they may already do this i don't know, but it doesnt look like it), but go through all the schools / community groups in the area, throughout the season, especially teams who play at ANZ / SFS.
players are already going to the schools so why not take a bucketload of tickets specifically for the areas that don't sell. sure not everyone will take up the offer, but i'm sure you'd get a decent amount, give them enough to cover their family, the kids will nag the parents to go, parents are then only forking out for travel and food, they get up in the usually empty section and if the kids enjoy themselves then they'll nag the folks to come back and 'can we sit there next time' and turn them into paying customers.
They could have an online system so the kids take a letter home, parents log onto ticketing and confirm their numbers, then you can measure the take up, plan your staff for how many will be in that area and maybe even send an injured or junior or ex player along to mingle with the kids in that section that would otherwise be empty.
kids are the future audience, so if you aren't getting it into them young how fun it can be at a game, then of course they are just going to grow up staying home watching on tv. It's how I got into it all anyway, but back then it didn't cost a small fortune to take the family out to the footy for the day. I know the clubs still have to make money, but what of the old 'you gotta spend some to make some' motto?