Network 10 will cover their first Socceroos game on Friday morning as part of their new rights deal and Simon Hill believes it could be the start of a "fruitful" partnership for the game.
Hill has been brought back to commentate matches for Network 10 and Paramount Plus moving forward after exiting Fox Sports last year.
Australian football coverage had experienced some trouble on Fox Sports in recent years and has found a new home that involves a strong free-to-air component on Channel 10.
Hill was quick to pay tribute to Fox's investment in the game over the past decade but feels the time was right for a new broadcaster and has already been impressed by Network 10's approach to football ahead of their debut on Friday when Australia take on China in a World Cup qualifier.
"Fox were terrific for the game for many years and they invested an awful lot of money into the sport - we shouldn't forget that," Hill said on the Insert [Sport] Here podcast.
"But I think it was pretty clear to most people that the relationship had run its course over the last two or three years so I think it needed some fresh impetus.
"Network 10, I've only been there a very brief period of time, but what has struck me already is the sheer enthusiasm for this sport and the product they're going to put out. That's the only start you can wish for really that people are mad keen to do it well.
"Obviously, there's the financial aspect as well, but I think the combination of the new streaming service with Paramount Plus...and the free-to-air exposure on a Saturday night with our domestic product which is the A-League.
"With that exposure, the enthusiasm, the financials being in place and crucially a partnership with the broadcaster and the game through the APL, which is the new governing body, it's in everybody's interest to make this work so I'm optimistic.
"I'm also realistic. There's a lot of work to do. We're not going to get there week one but I think all the ingredients are in place for it to be a fruitful partnership and hopefully I can play my part as well."
Having not had a full-time job since his Fox Sports exit, Hill had previously conceded he was close to leaving Australia and moving back to the United Kingdom.
While Hill's options abroad were limited due to COVID-19, he did reveal an approach from the UK just prior to Network 10's offer.
"Did I field offers from overseas? No, I had some interest, had some conversations but there wasn't an actual job offer," Hill said.
"Strangely enough I was reasonably close to a gig in the UK just before the offer came from Network 10 but that doesn't matter now.
"I'm glad I'm staying and if anything the 12 months on the periphery has probably reinvigorated my appetite a little bit and I can't way to get back out there and involved in football on a day to day basis."
Hill will return to the commentary box on Friday morning (AEST) with the Socceroos match against China to be shown on Network 10 and 10 Play in Australia.