In a revealing Face to Face interview with Yvonne Sampson, set to air over the next three Tuesdays, the beloved figure known as 'Fatty' shares insights from his remarkable journey as a player, coach, and unexpected media star.
"If someone was to ask me 'tell me about your life?'. I'd say it has been a surprise," Vautin shared with Sampson during the candid discussion.
"Growing up as a red-headed, freckled-faced teenager in Brisbane, I didn't amount to anything. I wasn't a great rugby league player at 10, 12, 13. No one took any notice of me. I was a battler," he reflected on his early challenges.
"All of a sudden when I turned 16 I got the urge and thought 'I might be all right at this'," he recalled, marking a pivotal moment in his life.
The series consists of three episodes, each highlighting a unique segment of Vautin's career.
Throughout the episodes, he revisits his early encounters on the field with notable players like Peter Sterling, Arthur Beetson, and Wally Lewis, and delves into the impact of legendary coaches such as Frank Stanton, Jack Gibson, and Wayne Bennett. He also reflects on his emotional departure from Manly and his concluding years at the Sydney Roosters.