Death of top coach ‘devastating’
Paul Green’s “devastated” family has been joined by the rugby league community in mourning the shock loss of the premiershipwinning coach who has died at the age of 49.
He was found dead at his Queensland home yesterday morning. The exact cause of death is not known.
Green played 162 first grade matches between 1994-2004, winning the Rothmans Medal in 1995 as the game’s best and fairest. He played State of Origin for Queensland and represented Super League’s Australian team in 1997.
‘‘We are devastated,’’ a statement from Green’s family read.
‘‘We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.’’
Turning to coaching after his retirement, he was in charge of North Queensland
from 2014-2020, leading the club to its first ever premiership in 2015.
Green coached Queensland in last year’s State of Origin series.
He led the Cowboys to premiership glory in 2015, his side beating the Broncos in one of the most memorable grand finals in the game’s history.
‘‘Paul first came to our club as a player in the late 90s and was the club’s first Origin representative, but his lasting legacy emanated from his sevenseason tenure as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys,’’ said Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay.
‘‘Paul’s arrival as head coach transformed our club from finals contenders to an immediate premiership force, culminating in the historic 2015 grand final victory.’’