Cheap pasta and beer helps ease Ray Warren into retirement
At Ray Warren's favourite club, tucked away in Sydney's north-west, you can still get a schooner of VB or Tooheys New for just over six bucks.
If you prefer mid-strength, a XXXX Gold will set you back $4.80.
HUGE: Brad Fittler in line for Bulldogs job after Phil Gould admission
'IT GOES A LOT DEEPER': Legend exposes Wests Tigers' grim reality
Mondays are the $15 pasta deal and you can get a chicken schnitty with a Mexican or parmigiana upgrade for a lobster on Wednesdays.
A TAB is still in operation with an attendant to help those who struggle to send a text, let alone punt through a betting app.
Simple with no fuss. Just the way Rabs likes to live his life.
There is every chance this is the venue where he finally decided his commentary days were over, possibly confiding with the close circle of friends he drinks with in a corner table.
Very sad to hear of the retirement of the great Ray Warren. I feel compelled to share my favourite Rabs call of a great @RaidersCanberra moment: Brett Mullins Chip and Chase try 1995 https://t.co/BiB0UDZynk via @YouTube #raywarren
— Gaven Morris (@gavmorris) June 1, 2022
Warren has had more time to spend at his cherished club of recent.
He says he decided there would not be another season behind the microphone after putting down his well-worn binoculars following last year's grand final.
It was a good call, equalling the match itself.
Not one to rush into decisions, Rabs left it eight months and a week out from what would have been his 100th Origin match to officially call fulltime on his illustrious broadcasting career.
He didn’t want to push into golden point, fearing he could damage his reputation as the undisputed Voice of Rugby League.
Ray Warren calls time on extraordinary career
"It’s been easy leaving the commentary box, but each time I came back I knew I was getting closer to making a fool of myself," Warren told Nine.
It's probably fair to suggest the name Rex 'Moose' Mossop sprung to mind as Rabs chewed over his decision with wife Cher and others close to him.
Mossop was the voice of rugby league before Warren came along to steal the crown.
Fans easily forgave the Moose's tautology – "the tiny, diminutive, little Mark Shulman" – but were not so easy on him when he began to stuff up players' names.
He would often refer to the player's father if the son of a well-known former star was in action or get the name wrong altogether.
Social media would have savaged him had it been around back then.
Mossop was just 62 when he calling career ended.
Warren is 78 and leaves with fans wanting more, not less.
His timing, as always, is perfect.
