Paul Vautin’s VERY surprising call to find out who will replace him at Channel 9: “He knows the game by heart”

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

One of Australian television’s most loved personalities, Vautin recently announced his retirement from television, ending a remarkable 33-year broadcasting career with Channel 9.

Vautin, who worked alongside Smith in recent NRL seasons, says the former Storm superstar is destined for big things in broadcasting.

“Cameron is going to be one of our best signal callers ever. He knows the game inside out,” Vautin told Yahoo Sport Australia.

“Sterlo was really good at dissecting a game, as was Gus (Gould), but Cameron is up there when it comes to his knowledge of the game.

“He was obviously one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen and he sees things before anyone else. He made a very easy transition from player to commentator and was a very good addition to the commentary team.

“He’s great to work with and he also likes to laugh. He will only get better with time and will be on top (with the best) when this is all over.

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

Footy fans were hoping the Larrikin commentator would go on to do other media work following his shock announcement, but the NRL icon has now ruled him out.

“I will never work again. I finished. I’m not looking for work,” 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 is most happy to spend time at home relaxing.

“I can spend a whole day alone and be happy in my own skin,” he said.

“Sometimes I read, go for a walk or mow the lawn. I am very happy in my own business.

Vautin was the face of popular sports talk show The Footy Show for almost 24 years before being unceremoniously fired in 2017 after declining ratings.

He revealed the exact moment he knew it was time to quit his job.

“Something has changed this year. I was driving in three hours of traffic on a Friday afternoon thinking “oh my god, what am I doing?” he said.

“In the end, I just 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 just thought ‘you know what I’m thinking, I’m done’.

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

“Then 20 minutes into the second half, I was looking at the pitch and thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’m so bored’.”

“I went home thinking wow, this has never happened before and I knew this was the beginning of the end.”