Paul Vautin appeared to leave fans on a final note after announcing his shocking decision to end his distinguished broadcasting career.
Vautin, affectionately known as “Fatty” in NRL circles, claimed he had “run out of gas” when he announced his decision to leave Channel Nine at the age of 65.
It brings an end to his 33-year television career, as the former Manly star originally joined the network in 1992, after ending his playing career.
Many NRL fans and fellow pundits have praised Vautin after his announcement came to light, with Phil Gould writing in X: ‘Paul Vautin. The champion guy. One of a kind.’
While Vautin suggested that he no longer had the energy to continue working for the station, there has been speculation that there was another factor behind his decision to resign.
Explaining your decisionVautin apparently appeared to hint that he did not agree with the way rugby league is developing, citing that recent rule changes were not benefiting the sport.
Rugby league great Paul Vautin may have revealed there was more than one reason for his retirement.
Vautin (centre) announced last week that he would be leaving his role at Channel Nine after 33 years at the broadcaster.
“I still love Nine and all the great people there, and I still love the game, it really gave me everything,” he said. The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The players are incredible, but now there are things that irritate me, like the sixes again and the abandonments that are disputed.”
“I don’t want to become that grumpy old man who complains about the sport that made him what he is.”
Vautin has previously criticized changes to the way the game is played, having urged Gould in 2019 to “fix the NRL” as he and Paul Gallen discussed recent rule changes.
It came after Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was suspended from the Roosters’ preliminary final for tripping South star James Roberts.
The trio attracted attention over rules that see players incur bans during NRL finals for minor infractions.
In 2022, Vautin criticized the rules around the contact area and expressed his bewilderment when Queensland star Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for attempting to stop Junior Paulo while attempting to play the ball, during an Origin match in 2022.
While normally the infringement would not have carried such a heavy penalty, it was the third consecutive infringement in a Queensland ruck, and Kaufusi took the punishment.
He has enjoyed a distinguished television career but appeared to claim he was unhappy with the way rugby league was going with some of its rule changes.
Vautin has previously questioned why Felise Kaufuso was sent to the sin bin during the second game of the 2022 State of Origin series.
‘There were five in a row. “It’s a relief,” Vautin said at the time.
‘No one knows what they are for. Nobody here knows. Nobody at home knows. We don’t know and we are supposed experts.’
Vautin has also pleaded with NRL coaches to make the game more interesting. In 2016, he claimed that coaching styles were becoming too predictable and that all coaches were choosing to copy each other’s tactics.
“Rugby league seems very predictable to me,” Vautin said. ‘The way coaches train today is the same and too predictable.
“I don’t think many of them play football. We are raising athletes and from time to time a footballer appears.
‘They keep changing rugby league. No adjustments needed.’
Vautin had criticized Queensland coach Billy Slater ahead of this year’s Origin series after he recruited Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo to his bench.
Despite that, Cobbo would play a huge role in the series opener, and Vautin returned to his earlier analysis, stating that Slater was “a million times smarter” than himself.
Vautin had also questioned one of Billy Slater’s selection decisions during this year’s State of Origin series.
But the football broadcaster retracted his claims, after realizing Slater was right in his decision-making.
“Billy is a genius,” he told Channel 9.
“Earlier in the week I said I’m old school, I think forwards win Origin and I would have had another big forward on the bench instead of Selwyn.
“Billy Slater just proved he’s a million times smarter than me by casting Selwyn Cobbo.”
Vautin has also criticized the NRL’s current tackling laws, particularly criticizing the rules while commentating on Penrith’s clash against the Broncos last year.
The Channel 9 pundit was left shaking his head after James Fisher-Harris was called for a big hit on Kotoni Staggs during the Panthers’ 15-4 win.
Staggs had been restrained by two Panthers players when Fisher-Harris collided with his side, sending the group of players to the ground.
The Kiwi prop was subsequently referred to the NRL’s disciplinary body for using “unnecessary forceful contact” in the tackle.
But Vautin was not impressed. He told Channel Nine: ‘So it’s unnecessary forceful contact to the ribs. So now we’re trying to take the physicality out of the game.
Vautin has also criticized the NRL’s tackling laws, recently questioning a tackle James Fisher-Harris made last year on Broncos star Kotoni Staggs.
The Channel 9 pundit was left shaking his head after Fisher-Harris (pictured) was reported for a big hit, implying the game was losing its way.
Vautin (centre) has been praised by many for his work in rugby league, having started his career in broadcasting in 1992.
Vautin added that his decision to step away from broadcasting was because he had “run out of gas.”
‘For 120 years, or whatever, that’s been fair game. The guy is standing and the coach says, “If you see a guy standing there then you catch him. You hit him in the ribs.” Now it is unnecessary forceful contact. That will be enough for me.
Vautin, who made 204 appearances for Manly and was capped 13 times for the Kangaroos, has been hailed by many greats of the game for his long service to rugby league.
I’ve always said about Paul that it takes a smart man to play dumb. “Paul had a smart football brain, but was able to entertain the masses with his humor and unique personality,” Gould said.
“He made football fun. Through the Channel 9 Footy Show and his one-on-one style of commentary, Fatty sold our game to millions of people over the years.
‘It was an incredible example of talent recruitment when Channel Nine’s head of sport, Gary Burns, decided to hire this guy to be the face of rugby league television.
‘What a masterstroke. An outstanding career as a representative player, Manly Premiership-winning captain, legendary State of Origin coach, primetime television show host, featured commentator, comedian and true Australian.
‘Well done, Gordo. Best wishes to you and your family for many happy years to come.’
Commentator Andrew Moore posted on social media: ‘Paul Vautin was an outstanding player and a premiership-winning captain. Coached QLD to the most miraculous State or Origin victory. And he also happens to be one of the best people I’ve ever met.
‘Not to mention 25 years hosting a successful television show. What a race!