Rugby league coach Josh Hannay has described the industry as “brutal” while reflecting on the sudden death of his “friend and mentor” Paul Green.
Key points:
Josh Hannay took over as Cowboys coach in 2020 after Paul Green stood down mid-season
Hannay and Green had both spent time in coaching roles with the Maroons in the past two seasons
The two had caught up on the weekend during a Cronulla reunion
Police said Green, 49, died by suicide on Thursday morning.
“I’ve spent the last 12 hours or so trying to comprehend what’s happened, why it’s happened,” Hannay told ABC Radio Brisbane on Friday morning.
“This industry we’re in, right, it’s a brutal industry.
“I know that on a professional level, the last few years have been really challenging for Greenie, given what happened at the Cowboys and with Queensland.”
Green left the Cowboys midway through the 2020 season after recording three wins from the first 10 games, with Hannay stepping in as interim coach.
Last year Green coached Queensland in the State of Origin and stepped down after the Maroons lost the series.
Hannay said the industry was either “lifting you up or tearing you down.”
“The highs are the highest of highs and the lows are the lowest of lows,” he said.
Green was at the helm of the Cowboys when the team won its first premiership in 2015.
Hannay, who played with Green and later became his assistant coach, said he caught up with his “friend and mentor” at a Cronulla Sharks reunion in Sydney on Saturday.
“It was great to see Greenie. I hadn’t seen him in about a year,” Hannay said.
“It was always good fun having a beer with Greenie. Life of the party. Plenty of good stories.
“I feel really fortunate now, given the circumstances, that I got to have that time with Greenie on Saturday night.”
Hannay said Green loved the song It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett.
John Cartwright was given an opportunity at the Cowboys under Paul Green, after he was let go by the Gold Coast Titans.(AAP Image/Action Photographics: Colin Whelan)
“I can hear him now singing it. It didn’t matter where you were, he’d find some way to get that song over the speakers,” Hannay said.
“I’ll be playing that song at some point today.”
A minute’s silence will be held across all NRL games this round to remember Green.
John Cartwright, who was an assistant coach to Green when the Cowboys won the 2015 tournament, said Green had given him a second chance at coaching.
“I was not in the best place myself at the time,” Cartwright told the ABC’s News Breakfast program.
“[I was] coming to the end of my coaching career at the Titans and was a little bit lost.
“and [I received] a call out of the blue — Greenie asked me to come up there and join the Cowboys.
“Initially I just sort of said, ‘Mate I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I wouldn’t be able to give you any sort of help,’ and he said, ‘Look, have the off-season to think about it and I’ll give you a call in January,’ and he did.
“I’m so glad that I took the opportunity that he gave me to go up there and help out.”
North Queensland Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston flew back home to be with his family after he was left “absolutely devastated” by the news that his former coach, Paul Green, had died aged 49.
Key points:
Johnathan Thurston was due to appear on Nine’s Thursday night football coverage, but instead flew home to be with his family
The Cowboys play the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday night
A minute’s silence is being held before every NRL game this round
On Channel Nine’s coverage of the Panthers-Storm game in Penrith on Thursday night, Thurston, the co-captain and Clive Churchill medalist of Green’s premiership-winning Cowboys side, was absent.
After hearing the news of Green’s death, Cameron Smith said he spent a few hours with Thurston in Sydney on Thursday afternoon before his friend, colleague and former Maroons teammate returned home to be with his family and his beloved North Queensland community.
“[Thurston] was absolutely devastated, as were many of the players and his teammates in that Cowboys outfit led by Paul Green,” Smith said.
“We just want to send our best wishes to all those players and particularly our mate JT. We feel for you, as the entire rugby league community do.
“For everyone that was involved with Paul Green and his family, we wish you all the very best.”
Many other Cowboys premiership players posted messages of sadness on social media, including Michael Morgan, John Asiata and Ben Hannant.
A minute’s silence was observed before Thursday’s game at Penrith Stadium and others will be held before every NRL game this round.
A minute’s silence was held before the Panthers vs. Storm game on Thursday night, just hours after news of Green’s death emerged.(Getty: Cameron Spencer)
Cowboys coach reflects on opportunities Green gave him
North Queensland plays the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said the club had to “put our arms around each other” after a difficult 24 hours.
“It’s a good reminder of how fortunate we are to do what we are able to do,” he said.
“We would like to perform well in Paul’s honour.”
Payten served as North Queensland’s under-20s coach and an assistant to Green for the 2015 premiership season.
“He gave me an opportunity to bring my family up here when I didn’t have a job,” Payten said.
“He made me a better coach in many different ways [and] he certainly challenged everyone around him to be better. He was a good person.
“He is always going to be the coach of our maiden premiership. He will be etched in our history books, he has had a significant contribution to our club, and he is going to be sorely missed.”
A shocked Mat Rogers says his former rugby league teammate, Paul Green, will be remembered as an “incredible competitor” who never took a backward step.
Key points:
Mat Rogers spent time with Paul Green last weekend
The pair played together for Cronulla and Queensland
He described Green as a “really good block”
The rugby league world is in mourning following the sudden death of 49-year-old Green, who represented Queensland in State of Origin and was a premiership-winning coach.
Rogers spent the past weekend in Sydney with Green at a Cronulla players reunion, with the pair having been teammates at the Sharks for three seasons since 1995.
They were roommates in the Queensland Super League representative team in 1997, before spending two years together in the Maroons State of Origin side.
Paul Green represented Queensland in State of Origin.(Getty Images: Darren England)
Green later enjoyed a successful coaching career, guiding North Queensland to its first NRL premiership in 2015.
Rogers said he and Green played golf and then sat next to each other to watch the Sharks beat St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
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“It was great — we played golf on Friday together and spent time at the reunion together,” Rogers said.
“He was telling me about the new boat he’d just bought for the family and I was looking forward to going for a ride.
“I can’t believe he’s gone… it makes me appreciate that time I got to spend with him.”
Rogers said half-back Green — who stood at just 167 centimeters tall — played well above his diminutive size.
“We played together for years and he was just an incredible competitor,” Rogers said.
“There was nothing of him and he just never took a backward step.”
Rogers said Green had been a sounding board for him recently as he set up his new player management business, while the father-of-two was also an ear for others who needed advice.
“He’s just been helpful with a lot of our young players and, out of the football world, I know other guys have had their troubles and he’s been there for them,” Rogers said.
“He’s just a loved guy, a really good bloke.”
Rogers said Green harbored ambitions to return to coaching in the NRL, having been in charge of the Cowboys until midway through the 2020 season.
He was linked to an assistant position at NRL newcomers the Dolphins, as well as other head coaching roles.
“He had a lot of ambition to continue on, in the NRL path,” Rogers said.
“He’s proven to be a great coach and he still had plenty of years left in him at that level but, unfortunately, we’re never going to see it, which is really sad.”
Another former Sharks teammate, Martin Lang, paid tribute to Green on Twitter.
“This is so sad. Paul was a close mate. We moved to Sydney together in 1993 … the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career,” Lang wrote.
“My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad.
“Rest In Peace mate.”
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Green moved to the Sharks in 1994 after a stint with Easts Tigers (now Brisbane Tigers) in the then-Brisbane Rugby League.
He won the now-defunct Rothmans Medal — the NSWRL/ARL best and fairest award — in 1995 and, two years later, was a member of the Sharks’ side that reached the Super League grand final.
Green represented Australia during the only season of Super League in 1997.
After leaving the Sharks following the inaugural NRL season in 1998, Green played with North Queensland, the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane Broncos before retiring in 2004.
Green then went into coaching, winning back-to-back Queensland Cup titles with Wynnum Manly in 2011 and 2012.
He joined Trent Robinson’s coaching staff at the Roosters in their 2013 premiership season, before replacing Neil Henry as Cowboys head coach the following year.
Green coached Queensland in the 2021 State of Origin series, losing 2-1 to NSW.
Former Queensland State of Origin coach and rugby league star Paul Green has died aged 49.
Key points:
His family are “devastated”, saying they had lost a “devoted husband, loving rather and wonderful brother and son”
Players and NRL clubs have paid tribute to Green, who spent a decade playing at the top level
He has been remembered as a brilliant player and “a passionate, smart and witty individual
The Green family released a statement on Thursday afternoon, saying they were “devastated.”
“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son,” the statement said.
“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.
“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy. Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss.” . Thank you.”
Green is survived by his wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed. It’s been confirmed he took his own life from him.
Paul Green with his family.(Supplied)
Police said they were called to a Wynnum residence just after 10am this morning after a 49-year-old male was located unresponsive.
He was declared deceased by emergency crews a short time later.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Green played more than 100 NRL games, debuting with the Cronulla Sharks in 1994 before moving to the North Queensland Cowboys in 1999.
The quick-thinking and gritty half-back went on to play stints at the Roosters, Eels and Broncos, and represented the Maroons 10 times.
He played for Australia twice during the Super League era, and also led the Sharks to the Super League grand final in 1997, where they lost to the Broncos.
After finishing his playing career in Brisbane in 2004, Green immediately moved into an assistant role with the Broncos, and had stints in the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly, before leading the Roosters’s under-20s to the preliminary finals in 2013.
He got his first NRL head coaching gig the following year when he took over from Neil Henry at the North Queensland Cowboys.
I have coached the Cowboys for 167 games over a six-year period and the Queensland side in the 2021 State of Origin series.
Green’s greatest achievement in rugby league was coaching the Cowboys to their first title.(Getty: Anthony Au Yeung)
Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay paid tribute to Green’s decorated history with the club and the impact he made.
“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 seven-season tenure as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys,” Mr Ramsey said.
“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.
“We will forever remember Paul as one of the greatest contributors in Cowboys history.”
Green’s former teammate at Cronulla, Martin Lang, paid tribute to his friend on Twitter.
“This is so sad. Paul was a close mate, we moved to Sydney together in 1993… the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career.
“My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad.
“Rest In Peace mate.”
‘Smart, witty singles’
Paul Green played 10 times for Queensland.(Getty: Darren England)
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys called Green “a brilliant player” in a statement released by the NRL.
“Throughout his career had a reputation as a halfback who was as tough as he was skilful. Paul was rewarded with the Rothmans Medal in 1995,” V’landys said.
“As a coach he led the North Queensland Cowboys to one of the most famous grand final victories of all time – against Brisbane Broncos in 2015.
“He represented Queensland and Australia as a player, and only last year coached the Maroons in the State of Origin series.
“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.”
Paul Green coached the Queensland Maroons in 2021.(Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the league was “deeply saddened” and extended “deepest condolences to Paul’s family, his friends, and those who have been inspired and mentored by him over the course of his long career.”
Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg said he was “so sad” to hear of Green’s death.
“I enjoyed some time with him recently and he was in great spirits and looking forward to the next phase of his life. Tragic news. Sending love and best wishes to his family,” Greenberg said.
Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher said Green is “sadly missed”.
“I’d say he’s left an indelible mark across Queensland, with the players he’s coached, the young boys that he grew into young men,” he said.
Former assistant coach, clubs pay tribute
Former assistant coach to Green, Josh Hannay, said he was “shocked and devastated” to hear of his death just five days after they caught up at a Cronulla Sharks reunion.
“We had a good chat, we spoke about the future, and how much he was looking forward to what was in store for himself professionally,” Hannay said.
“It’s just devastating.”
Hannay said Green seemed healthy and was in “good spirits” at the weekend.
“He was his normal self, the life of the party, he had a good day catching up with old friends,” he said.
Paul Green had coached the North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin side.(AAP: Cameron Laird)
Wests Tigers half-back Jackson Hastings said on Twitter: “Can’t believe the Paul Green news this morning. Achieved it all as a player and coach still had so much to give, taken way to soon. Thoughts and prayers with family and friends .Makes you realize to take nothing for granted.RIP.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was “shocked and saddened” by the footballer’s death.
“Deepest condolences to his friends and family,” she tweeted.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli, who was previously the member for Mundingburra in North Queensland, said Green was a “Maroon through and through.”
“He was a wonderful player but his greatest achievement came as a coach when he guided the Cowboys to a maiden premiership in 2015,” he said on Twitter.
Numerous NRL clubs paid tribute to Green, who spent a decade playing at the top level.
Green’s legacy as the first coach to take the Cowboys to premiership glory would follow him even as he farewelled the club in 2020.
With two grand finals and a long-awaited trophy under his belt, the question was always going to be ‘what’s next?’
For Green, it was the Broncos.
The powerhouse club had let Anthony Seibold go, and for many, Green was the natural man to step into the seat. Experienced, respected, and a Broncos Old Boy to boot.
And while his interview was reportedly exceptional, Kevin Walters stood fair and square in his way.
“Look, I was disappointed to miss out on the Broncos,” he told The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel.
“But I knew the situation I was walking into. I knew what ‘Kevvie’ brought to the job and I knew what I brought to the job.
“There’s no ill-feeling at all towards the Broncos at all.”
Instead, Green would take the head coach role at the Maroons, in what would be a transition period between the old and the new as the rep team moved from Wayne Bennett, to Green, and eventually to Billy Slater.
It was a brutal result, with a dominant Blues outfit getting the job done in the first two games.
Green would however go on to claim Origin III, and mark himself in the record books as one of only 13 men to coach the mighty Maroons.
