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 announcing his shock decision to end his impressive career in broadcasting.

Vautin, affectionately known as ‘Fatty’ in NRL circles, claimed he had ‘run out of gas’ when 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 originally joining the network in 1992 after reviewing his playing career.

Many NRL fans and fellow pundits have praised Vautin after his announcement came to light, with Phil Gould writing of X: “Paul Vautin. Champion dude. Unique of its kind.’

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

Explain his decisionVautin seemingly hinted that he did not agree with the way rugby league is developing, citing that recent rule changes have not benefited 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 said The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘The players are incredible, but there are things about them that annoy me now, like the six and the withdrawals being disputed again.

“I don’t want to become that grumpy old man complaining about a sport that made him what he is.”

Vautin has previously been critical of changes to the way the game is played, after urging Gould to “fix the NRL” in 2019 when he and Paul Gallen spoke out about recent rule changes.

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

The trio raised eyebrows over the rules that see players banned for minor offenses during the NRL finals.

In 2022, Vautin cited the rules around the contact area, expressing dismay when Queensland star Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for trying to stop Junior Paulo from playing the ball during a 2022 Origin match.

While the offense would not normally have attracted such a severe penalty, it was the third consecutive ruck offense in a row from Queensland with Kaufusi receiving the penalty.

‘There were five in a row. It’s a gamble,” Vautin said at the time.

‘No one knows what they are for. Nobody here knows. No one at home knows. We don’t know and we are so-called experts.’

Vautin has also implored 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 find rugby league very predictable,” Vautin said. ‘The way coaches coach nowadays is all the same and too predictable.

‘I don’t think enough of them play football. We breed athletes and every now and then a footballer turns up.

‘They keep changing the rugby league. No adjustment is necessary.’

Vautin had been critical of Queensland coach Billy Slater ahead of this year’s Origin series after benching Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo.

Despite Cobbo going on to play a major role in the series opener, with Vautin doubling down on his previous analysis and claiming Slater was ‘a million times smarter’ than himself.

“Billy is a genius,” he told Channel 9.

‘Earlier this week I said I’m old-fashioned, I think strikers win Origin and I would have had a big striker on the bench instead of Selwyn.

“Billy Slater just showed he’s a million times smarter than me by choosing Selwyn Cobbo.”

Vautin has also been critical of the NRL’s current tackling laws, notably sticking to the rules while commentating on Penrith’s game against the Broncos last year.

The Channel 9 pundit was left shaking his head after James Fisher-Harris was called up for a huge hit on Kotoni Staggs during the Panthers’ 15-4 win.

Staggs was held up by two Panthers players when Fisher-Harris ran into his side and put the group of players on the ground.

The Kiwi prop was subsequently referred to the NRL disciplinary body for using ‘unnecessarily forceful contact’ in the tackle.

But Vautin was not impressed. He told Channel Nine: “So it’s unnecessarily forceful contact 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 guy stands up and the coach says, “If you see a guy standing there, you get him. You get him in the ribs.” Now it is unnecessarily forceful contact. I will succeed.’

Vautin, who played 204 games for Manly and made 13 appearances for the Kangaroos, has been praised by many rugby greats for his long service to rugby league.

“I’ve always said about Paul that it takes a smart man to play the fool. Paul had the smart football brain, but could entertain the masses with his humor and unique personality,” Gould said.

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

‘It was an incredible example of talent acquisition when Channel Nine Sports boss Gary Burns decided to employ this guy as the face of rugby league TV.

‘What a masterstroke. An outstanding career as a representative league player, Manly Premiership winning captain, legendary State of Origin Coach, Prime Time TV show host, excellent commentator, comedian and true, genuine Australian.

‘Good job, fat. Best wishes to you and your family for many happy years to come.’

Commentator Andrew Moore wrote on social media: ‘Paul Vautin was an excellent player and premiership-winning captain. He coached Queensland to its most miraculous State of Origin victory. And also happens to be one of the best people I’ve ever met.

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