Paul Vautin’s VERY surprising call on who will replace him at Channel 9: ‘He knows the game inside out’

NRL icon Paul Vautin has predicted Cameron Smith will become the next big footy broadcaster, following the rugby league cult hero’s shock decision to end his television career.

Vautin, one of Australian television’s most beloved personalities, recently announced his retirement from television, ending a distinguished 33-year broadcasting career at Channel 9.

Vautin, who has worked with 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 all-time great callers. He knows the game inside and out,” Vautin said Yahoo Sports Australia.

‘Sterlo was very good at dissecting a game, as was Gus (Gould), but Cameron is right at the top in terms of knowledge of the game.

‘He was clearly one of the greatest players we have ever seen and he sees things before others. He has made a very easy transition from player to commentator and has been a very good addition to the commentary team.

Vautin says Smith (pictured) ‘will become one of our all-time great callers’

‘He is great to work with and also likes a joke. He will only get better with time and when it’s all over he will be one of the best.”

Last week, Vautin revealed he will never work a day in his life after announcing his retirement.

Footy fans were hoping the Larrikin commentator would continue doing other media work following his shock announcement, but the NRL icon has now ruled this out.

‘I will never work again. I’m done. I am not looking for work,” Manly 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’s thrilled when he can just relax at home.

“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 am very happy in my own company.’

Vautin has been working with Smith for a few years and is convinced of his abilities

Vautin recently announced his retirement, ending a 33-year broadcasting career at Channel 9

Vautin was the face of hit sports talk show The Footy Show for the better part of 24 years before being unceremoniously sacked in 2017 after ratings slumped.

He revealed the exact moment he knew it was time to walk away from his job.

‘Something has changed this year. I would be driving in a three hour traffic jam on a Friday afternoon thinking ‘oh my god, what am I doing?’ he said.

‘In the end, I felt like I would rather be at home watching the football games on Friday evenings than working on them.

“I still really love the game, but I just thought, ‘You know what, I think I’m done.’

“There was a point where the Brisbane Broncos were playing the Roosters at Suncorp on Friday night and look, it was a pretty good game, I was commentating with Joey and we were having a good time.

‘Twenty minutes into the second half I looked at the pitch and said, ‘Oh my God, I’m so bored’.

“I drove home and thought, wow, that had never happened before and I knew then that it was the beginning of the end.”