It’s hard to know what to say when farewelling a legend of your business, but that’s what we’re doing today with the news that Paul Vautin has made his mind up to retire from television.
“I’m 65, and I’ve run out of petrol,” Vautin said. “When I think about my life I have to say it’s all been a surprise; the television career, my football career. I remember thinking as a 15- or 16-year-old redheaded, freckly kid that I didn’t know what I was gonna do with my life, and then when I look at what I’ve done, I’m still surprised.”
The man affectionately known as “Fatty” pulled the pin on his 33-year career in television a couple of weeks ago, telling Channel Nine executives that his time was up. He all but made his mind up towards the end of the season, but wanted to be sure. We had a discussion about that after the grand final, and he didn’t want to be that person who quit and then came back.
“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 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.
“I can’t believe how fortunate I’ve been to play the game at the level I did. I thought when I came to Sydney I’d have a few years in reserve grade and then probably go home. Instead, I got to play with some of the greats of the game who I now get to call friends. And then to think that I somehow had a career in media that went for as long as it did. I’m just so grateful for all the people and my family who have helped me along the way.”
Paul Vautin with long-time colleague and mate Peter SterlingCredit: Getty
Vautin remembers driving home from Roosters training at Henson Park in 1991, his final year as a player.
“I got a phone call from someone saying that it was Gary Burns from Channel Nine,” Vautin recalled. “And he wanted me to do a spot on the Midday Show with Andrew Ettingshausen. I said, ‘Righty oh, Wally, good one, you got me’, and I hung up.”
The Wally is Wally Lewis, who made a habit of ringing Vautin and pretending he was a journalist.
“The only thing was this time it was actually Gary Burns,” Vautin said. “He rang back and said, ‘All right, will you ring me back – here’s my number, just to know that it’s me’. So I did, and I apologised.........