The AFL begins a new seven-year $4.5 billion broadcast agreement with existing partners Foxtel and Seven Network this week, though one key difference from the previous cycle has drawn the ire of supporters and pundits alike.
Viewers in Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will need to purchase a subscription to Foxtel's sports streaming platform, Kayo, to be able to view any AFL matches on a Saturday up until the finals series, whilst those in remaining states and territories will also be locked out for at least the first eight rounds of the 2025 Premiership season.
The pay television behemoth negotiated exclusive rights to Saturday fixtures in exchange for additional money as part of what they have marketed as 'Super Saturday', which will feature 12 hours (midday to midnight) of live action surrounded by studio discussion and analysis.
Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany told reporters last month that he believes supporters see it as "normal to pay for content these days" and expects "Australians will run towards the light" and drive Kayo subscriber numbers up significantly.
Speaking to the ABC AFL Daily podcast, Roos sees it differently.
"Who in the (AFL board) meeting thinks that's a good idea?
"That is as crazy as I've heard coming out of the AFL for many years. We know it's a business and they have so many stakeholders, but how can you not service the football public that has paid so much money, particularly at the moment when things are tough?
"This is a disgraceful decision from the AFL."
Roos said it was an especially insenstitive move to further monetise the viewing of the sport during Australia's ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
"It's costing me $27 for an avocado on toast with scrambled eggs now and I have to pay to watch the football on television?
"I really feel now for the people who can't afford pay TV, especially the elderly folk. It's a really good way to relax on the weekend and watch your team play. Someone in the PR (public relations) team must be wondering who buggered this up.
"Even the people with pay TV, I imagine 90 percent of them would agree that this is a really bad decision. We all love our football and are connected through football. It's the very fabric of our society."
The season begins this Friday night when Roos' beloved Swans host Hawthorn at the SCG. Flashscore will of course have live scores of all 216 games, free for all users!