"Fifty and out. I like that," Warren told Fairfax Media. "I'm thinking this season will be it for me, I'm thinking that way. In fact, I'd be happy to get through the year, to be honest. Launch of his farewell season: Ray Warren on Friday with Channel 9 stablemates Rob Shehadie and Matt Ryan-Garnsey from Here Come the Habibs. Credit:Channel 9 "I've had some bad health in the past 12 months and had too many anaesthetics, maybe it's trying to tell me something. I'm thinking if I can get through this year it would be good. I've had the prostate problem, hernias and God knows what operated on. "You're in hospital with all the footballers in the off season ... If I can go on, I will but I'm just telling you the honest truth. At the moment, if I get through this year I'll be happy." In a mark of the esteem Warren is held in, his network's new director of sport, Tom Malone, described him as "the most important voice on Channel Nine, bar none."

Malone, who takes over from Foxtel-bound Steve Crawley, is hopeful Warren will remain behind the microphone for years to come. Time to say goodbye: Ray Warren. Credit:Brendan Esposito "We won't let him retire," Malone said, perhaps only half-jokingly. "The first person I called when I became the director of sport was Ray Warren. The first person I saw is Ray Warren. The voice: Ray Warren. Credit:Natalie Roberts

"He's synonymous with rugby league, he's everyone's favourite caller, he's who you want to listen to. We all grew up loving him, imitating him, wanting to be him. He is the fibre of Channel Nine's rugby league coverage. I'm only new to it and people tell me Rabs threatens to retire every year. I think he's in good health, he's at the top of his game as a caller. Selfishly, I want him to call forever and ever." News that Warren is contemplating finishing up may prompt nostalgic viewers to stick with Nine for 2016, despite the the increasing commitment Fox Sports has made to its own league coverage. The pay-TV broadcaster is beaming every game live and in high definition for the first time and is heavily promoting a line up that includes Warren Smith, Andrew Voss, Joel Caine and Matt Russell. Lengthy career: Ray Warren at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Warren said he was just as excited to call rugby league now as when he started five decades ago. "It annoys me when I hear people say 'the game isn't what it used to be,'" Warren said. "There's a couple of reasons for that. You can't turn a blind eye on concussion, you can't turn a blind eye to spear tackles. Even the punch has come under query. Then again, you think of the athleticism of what the flankers are doing, the wingers and fullbacks are just amazing. "I can think of some old-time hookers that probably wouldn't even make NSW Cup. The game has advanced incredibly."

The former policeman described last year's grand final as the best he has ever witnessed and predicted a replay in the 2016 decider. "I honestly think last year's grand finalists will go around again," he said. "Brisbane will be very hard to beat and I wouldn't be surprised if they play the Cowboys again."