Tributes for retiring Nine rugby league icon Peter Sterling have continued, with great mate Paul Vautin delivering a heart-warming message.
After 30 years on Australian televisions following a successful playing career with the Parramatta Eels, Sterling is hanging up the mic and stepping down from his role at Nine.
For many viewers at home, Sterling’s success as a TV icon was seen alongside Vautin on Nine.
While the pair were at the front of rugby league’s biggest games across finals and State of Origin, equally as notable was their time on pioneering late night entertainement offering, The Footy Show.
The pair went to air back in 1994 when The Footy Show famously made its debut on Australian television screens.
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“The great man Peter Sterling is retiring from working at Channel Nine and the world is much sadder for that,” Vautin said in his tribute.
“We go back a long, long way… I first met him playing against him for probably 10 years. The number of times he stepped around me, seriously it was embarrassing.
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“I hope that one day, and I really do, he should be talked about as an Immortal because he is that good.
“…He set the bar for colour commentators. He’s always maintained his dignity because he never crosses either line.
“He’s straight down the middle, so professionial – the only one person to do that, Peter Sterling.
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“As a friend, he’s rock-solid. We never had one bad word between us in 30 years, not one.
“Pete, to steal a quote from one of the great men who was invovled in your life, Jack Gibson, ‘Peter, you played strong. Done good, kid.’
“You are a legend of a human being, you’ve succeeded at whatever you’ve done in life – you’re a credit to humanity.”
After witnessing the tribute, an emotional Sterling reflected on his time at Nine and thanked everyone involved.
“It’s been a family I’ve been a part of for 30 years,” Sterling told Nine.
“It’s been so much fun. The people who have been in touch, it’s been overwhelming.
“I just want to thank everyone who I’ve ever worked with and for at this network, it’s a fantastic network.
“It’s tough to leave, but the time is right and I’m looking forward to the future and you guys will be missed.
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