Is this the real reason why Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin quit Channel Nine? As footy great quits broadcaster after 33 years

Paul Vautin appeared to leave fans with one final note after he announced his shock decision to bring a close to his distinguished career in broadcasting.

Vautin, who is affectionately known as ‘Fatty’ in NRL circles, claimed he had ‘run out of petrol’ as he announced his decision to step down from Channel Nine at the age of 65.

It brings an end to his 33-year television career, with the former Manly star having originally joined up with the network back in 1992, after calling time on his playing career.

Many NRL fans and fellow pundits have lumped praise on Vautin after his announcement came to light, with Phil Gould writing on X: ‘Paul Vautin. Champion bloke. One of a kind.’

While Vautin suggested that he no longer had the energy to continue to work for the broadcaster, there has been some speculation there was another factor behind his decision to step down.

Explaining his decision, Vautin seemingly appeared to hint that he was not on board with the way that rugby league is developing, citing that recent rule changes were not benefitting the sport.

‘I still love Nine, and all the great people there, and I still love the game, I really do – it gave me everything,’ he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘The players are unbelievable, but there are things about it now that irritate me, like the six again and dropouts that are contested.

‘I don’t want to become that cranky old guy who complains about a sport that made him what he is.’

Vautin has previously been critical over changes to the way the game is being played, having urged Gould in 2019 to ‘fix the NRL’ as he and Paul Gallen spoke out on recent rule changes.

It came after Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was suspended from the Roosters’ preliminary final, for tripping up South’s star James Roberts.

The trio raised eyebrows over rules that see players incur bans during the NRL finals for minor offences.

In 2022, Vautin hit out at rules around the contact area, expressing his bewilderment when Queensland star Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for trying to slow down Junior Paulo from trying to play the ball, during an Origin match in 2022.

While ordinarily, the infringement would not have copped such a heavy sanction but it was the third straight ruck infringement in a row from Queensland, with Kaufusi copping the punishment.

‘It was five in a row. It is a gee up,’ Vautin said on the moment.

‘No one knows what they are for. No one here knows. No one at home knows. We don’t know and we’re so-called 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 with coaches all choosing to copy each other’s tactics.

‘I am finding rugby league very predictable,’ Vautin said. ‘The way coaches coach these days is all the same and too predictable.

‘I don’t think enough of them play football. We are breeding athletes and every now and then a footy player turns up.

‘They keep tweaking rugby league. It doesn’t need tweaking.’

Vautin had been critical of Queensland coach Billy Slater ahead of this year’s Origin series after he drafted Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo into his bench.

Despite that Cobbo would come on to play a huge role in the series opener, with Vautin doubling back on his earlier analysis, claiming Slater was ‘a million times smarter’ than himself.

‘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 showed he’s a million times smarter than I am by selecting Selwyn Cobbo.’

Vautin has also been critical of the NRL’s current tackle laws, notably hitting out at 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 put on report for a huge hit on Kotoni Staggs during the Panthers’ 15-4 victory.

Staggs had been held up by two Panthers players when Fisher-Harris had driven into his side sending the group of players to the floor.

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 said to Channel Nine: ‘So it’s unnecessary forceful contact up into the ribs. So now we’re trying to take the physicality out of the game.

‘For 120 years – or whatever it is – that’s been fair game. The bloke is standing up and the coach is saying: “If you see a bloke standing there then you get him. You get him in the ribs”. Now it’s unnecessary forceful contact. That will do me.’

Vautin, who made 204 appearances for Manly and was capped 13 times for the Kangaroos, has been hailed for his long-standing service to rugby league by many greats of the game.

‘I’ve always said about Paul, that it takes a smart man to play the fool. Paul had the smart football brain, but was able to entertain the masses with his humour and unique personality,’ Gould said.

‘He made football fun. Through the Channel 9 Footy Show and his individual commentary style, Fatty sold our game to millions of people over the years.

‘It was an incredible example of talent recruitment when Channel Nine Sports Boss Gary Burns decided to employ this bloke to be the face of rugby league TV.

‘What a masterstroke. An outstanding career as a representative class player, Manly Premiership winning Captain, legend State of Origin Coach, Prime Time TV show host, outstanding commentator, comedian and genuine true-blue Aussie.

‘Well done Fat. Best wishes to you and your family for many happy years ahead.’

Commentator Andrew Moore posted on social media: ‘Paul Vautin was an outstanding player and premiership-winning Captain. He coached QLD to State or Origin’s most miraculous win. And also happens to be one of the best people I’ve ever met.

‘Not to mention 25 years hosting a successful TV show. What a career.’