Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys led the tributes following Green’s death just a month shy of his 50th birthday.
“Paul was a brilliant player, and then became one of the few to make a very successful transition into coaching,” V’landys said in a statement.
“I had the pleasure of sitting on the NRL Competition Committee and found Paul to be a passionate, smart and witty individual. Our condolences go to his family and to his many friends of him. ”
Wests Tigers captain James Tamou, who was part of the 2015 premiership-winning team, was stunned when the news came through as he arrived with teammates in Tamworth for Saturday’s game against the Sharks.
“I’m still trying to process the news – I’m devastated for his family,” Tamou said.
“He was passionate, he loved rugby league — he gave everything to rugby league — he was honest, a fierce competitor, on and off the field, and I remember one of the first coaches to bring in sports psychologists.
“I remember grand final night. We went back to the Pullman Hotel and sat in the team room singing songs. I’m pretty sure Greeny fell off a chair.
“He didn’t sing, he just had this giant smile on his face watching everyone.”
Supreme Roosters Nick Politis had known Green for more than two decades and was with him a couple of months ago.
“He was down here recently for the Roosters’ 2002 grand final reunion and we all spent a weekend together. It’s heartbreaking. It’s devastating. My deepest condolences to his family from him. We will all miss him. God rest his soul from him.”
Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher became emotional while thinking about his friend and someone he described as “an extremely intelligent guy, someone who mentored a lot of people and had a lot of success in the game”.
Hatcher last spoke with Green about a fortnight ago, and one of his fondest memories was a long lunch at Brisbane’s flashy eatery Mosconi earlier this year after the pair were reportedly at loggerheads over the failed 2021 Queensland Origin campaign.
“He was one of the most decent people you will ever meet; he was a first-class guy, and it’s overwhelmingly sad to think of his passing at such a young age,” Hatcher said.
Green celebrates the 2015 premiership win with Cowboys talisman Johnathan Thurston.Credit:Getty
“I’ll never forget the lunch we had earlier this year, it was a wonderful talk about rugby league and life’s ups and downs.
“When you think about his family and his young kids and the role they played in his life and his wish for stability… you just don’t expect to see young people predict their children.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that she was “shocked and saddened” at the news, while Opposition Leader David Crisafulli also paid tribute, describing Green as “maroon through and through” and a “wonderful player”. Clubs Green played and coached with during his stellar career and rivals alike were also quick to take to social media.
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He won the Rothmans Medal with the Sharks in 1995, having two years earlier won the equivalent award in the Brisbane competition.
Green was also at the helm for the unheralded North Queensland side’s run to the 2017 grand final, which they lost to Melbourne after becoming just the second eighth-placed side to make the season decider.
The 2015 premiership was one of the most stirring in grand final history, the Cowboys scoring in the final second via Kyle Feldt to give Johnathan Thurston the chance to win the club’s maiden premiership with a sideline conversion. Thurston’s miss sent the match to golden point, but the playmaker was quick to make amends, capitalizing on an error from Brisbane’s Ben Hunt to boot the match-winning field goal.