Paul Vautin 1979 to 1989

Wednesday, 02 November 2005 05:00

The red haired Queensland lock forward came to the Sea Eagles in 1979 after Ken Arthurson viewed a video clip of him scoring a long range try and in a match for Brisbane Wests in the QRL.

When the fresh faced 18 year turned up to pre season training at Brookvale his stout build, chunky thighs and red hair led former skipper Fred Jones to ask the great Manly fullback, Graham Eadie "Who is this Fatty?. This quip by Jones to Eadie saw Vautin keep this nickname throughout his career and life after footy.

Fatty was The red haired Queensland lock forward came to the Sea Eagles in 1979 after Ken Arthurson viewed a video clip of him scoring a long range try and in a match for Brisbane Wests in the QRL.

When the fresh faced 18 year turned up to pre season training at Brookvale his stout build, chunky thighs and red hair led former skipper Fred Jones to ask the great Manly fullback, Graham Eadie "Who is this Fatty?. This quip by Jones to Eadie saw Vautin keep this nickname throughout his career and life after footy.

Fatty was workaholic and tenacious player who quickly established himself in first grade and after a series of whole hearted displays he endeared himself to the Manly faithful.

Although his defence was outstanding he possessed a surprising turn of speed and his never say die attitude provided him with many scoring opportunities through his constant support play.

The advent of State of Origin in the early 1980s saw a resurgence of pride in the Queensland jumper and Vautin personified this in his many sterling efforts in the Maroon jumper over 22 origin games between 1982 and 1990. He was Wally Lewiss vice captain for much of this golden period for Queensland rugby league.

He also represented Australia on 13 occasions during his career, touring New Zealand twice but a broken arm in 1986 prevented Fatty from touring with the victorious Kangaroos when he was at the height of his career.

After being appointed Manly captain he led the club to Grand Final glory in 1987 when the Sea Eagles defeated the Canberra Raiders at the last Grand Final at the SCG. During his acceptance speech Fatty famously said the Sea Eagles had ripped the last page out of the Raiders fairytale book.

He achieved many other milestones in his career at the Sea Eagles including 1983 Dally M Players player and Representative Footballer of the Year, while in 1987 he was named Dally M Captain of the Year. He spent the 1988/89 off season playing for St Helens and Vautin played in the Wembley Cup final but the Saints were thrashed 27 to 0.

In 1989 season Vautin was a strong supporter of coach Alan Thompson, Thompson was dumped as coach in favour of Kiwi of Graham Lowe. This support led to Manly offering him a greatly reduced contract and he reluctantly signed with the Roosters. However his heart was always at Manly and his final 2 seasons at the tri colours were ordinary by his own standards due to injury and poor form.

Hi retired in 1991 but during his long career at the Sea Eagles he represented the club on 204 occasions scoring 20 tries while he kicked 2 goals and 2 field goals. His career highlight would without doubt when as captain of one of the great Manly sides he raised the Winfield Cup in 1987.

In retirement Fattys quirky personality soon found him work in the media and he fronted the popular Channel 9 Footy Show. During the Super League war he was a vocal ARL supporter and he coached a young Queensland side in the 1995 Origin series to an upset 3 to 0 victory. He coached the Cane toads for another 2 years before being replaced when the code reunited in 1998.

Vautin gained a place on the Sea Eagles board in 1999 and despite being an out spoken opponent of the amalgamation with arch enemies Norths he was on the board that oversaw the troubled merger which became the Northern Eagles.

When the Northern Eagles collapsed he became the clubs chairman but after a funding crisis, internal politics and a fall out with club legend Bob Fulton he was forced to resign and was replaced by businessmen Paul Cummings.

So after nearly 25 years of service to the Maroon & White, Vautin left the club but he still remains a passionate supporter of the Sea Eagles despite his many scraps with the hierarchy.

Paul Vautin a dedicated & controversial Sea Eagle.

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