Peter Sterling shares emotional message as 30-year TV career comes to an end – Wide World of Sports

Rugby league legend Peter Sterling had an emotional send-off in his final appearance on the Sunday Footy Show, as he wraps up his media duties at Nine following the NRL grand final on Sunday night.

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.

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The NRL analyst who made famous the line, "If we freeze play here", reflected on his impressive media career.

"It's been a great time because it's never felt like work," Sterling said after viewing the best moments from his time on The Footy Show and commentating for Nine.

"When you look at that [highlights reel], it's just ridiculous stuff and really enjoyable with good people.

"I've got to thank this network, they took a punt on me 30 years ago and I don't think either of us thought it would last that long - but here we are."

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Sterling revealed that it took him a while to warm up to the role in front of the camera, but once he got there he relished the experience.

"I wasn't a big fan early on because I liked the more serious side of things but it was one in, all in," he said.

"There's not a favourite moment. It was just something different every week.

"Fatty (Paul Vautin) was fantastic. Fatty was The Footy Show and I loved being alongside him.

"I look back at things now and you just wouldn't get away with half the stuff. It was politically incorrect in so many different ways.

"Fatty was great and working alongside Ray Warren as well. I did work probably my first six weeks concussed because when Rabs goes for the binoculars the elbows flare up and I didn't realise that for a while. So after a while you'd know he was going for the binoculars you'd duck and weave."

Sterling gave a heartfelt thanks to the many people who supported him in the last three decades which left the panel of Erin Molan, Brad Fittler and Ruan Sims on the verge of tears.

"I need to take an opportunity to thank the network, and everybody behind the scenes," he said.

"Everybody whose job it is to make us look and sound good, thank you so much for all of the years. I hope you never felt unappreciated because it's certainly never been that way.

"I want to thank the players, coaches and teams over the years for being so accessible. If you have been beaten on a Friday or Saturday, the last thing you want is to come and talk about it on a Sunday morning, but they make themselves available to us.

"Most importantly the people at home who let us into their lounge rooms on a Sunday, thank you for making us so welcome. I hope we've provided you good conduit to the game and appreciation and enjoyment for what has been so good to us.

"I'll miss you all, but I'll be watching from a distance."

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Peter Sterling shares emotional message as 30-year TV career comes to an end - Wide World of Sports