- Paul Vautin recently announced his retirement from Channel 9
- ‘Fatty’ says Cameron Smith will be a great announcer
- He says Smith can analyze a game as well as Peter Sterling
NRL icon Paul Vautin has predicted Cameron Smith will become the next big football broadcaster, following the rugby league cult hero’s shock decision to quit his television career.
Vautin, one of Australian television’s most beloved personalities, recently announced his retirement from television, ending a notable 33-year television career on Channel 9.
Vautin, who has worked alongside Smith over the past few NRL seasons, says the former Storm superstar is destined for big things in broadcasting.
‘Cameron is going to be one of our great interlocutors of all time. “He knows the game inside out,” Vautin said. Yahoo Sports Australia.
“Sterlo was really good at analyzing a game, as was Gus (Gould), but Cameron is right up there with his knowledge of the game.
“He was obviously one of the best players we’ve ever seen and sees things before everyone else.” He has made a very easy transition from player to commentator and has been a very good addition to the commentary team.
Paul Vautin has predicted that Cameron Smith will become the next great football announcer
Vautin says Smith (pictured) “will be one of our greatest callers of all time”
“He’s great to work with and he likes to laugh too.” “He will only get better with time and will be up there (with the best) when it is all over.”
Last week, Vautin revealed that he will never work another day in his life after announcing his retirement.
Football fans hoped the Larrikin commentator would continue working in other media after his shock announcement, but the NRL icon has now ruled him out.
‘I will never work again. I’ve finished now. “I’m not looking for a job,” the Manly big man told SEN radio on Tuesday.
‘I don’t want to do anything. No radio, no podcasts. I don’t want to do anything. I’m happy.’
Vautin, who lives on the Gold Coast, says he feels very happy just spending time at home relaxing.
“I can spend a whole day alone and be happy with myself,” he said.
‘Sometimes I read, go for a walk or mow the lawn. I’m very happy in my own company.’
Vautin has been working alongside Smith for some years and is convinced of his abilities.
Vautin recently announced his retirement, ending a 33-year television career at Channel 9.
Vautin was the face of popular sports talk show The Footy Show for the best part of 24 years before being unceremoniously fired in 2017 after ratings declined.
He revealed the exact moment he knew it was time to quit his job.
‘Something changed this year. I’d be driving in three hours of traffic on a Friday afternoon and I’d be like, ‘Oh my God, what am I doing?’ said.
“In the end I felt like I’d rather be at home watching football on a Friday night than working on it.
“I still love the game immensely, but I thought, ‘You know what I think I’m done with?'”
“There was one particular moment when the Brisbane Broncos were playing the Roosters on a Friday night at Suncorp and look, it was a pretty good game, I was commentating with Joey and we were having a good time.
“Then, 20 minutes into the second half, I was looking at the field and said, ‘Oh my God, I’m so bored.’
“I drove home thinking wow, that had never happened before and I knew it was the beginning of the end.”