Ailing NRL legend Ray Price demands change after Green’s shock diagnosis

NRL great Ray Price, who is battling dementia, has spoken out after it was revealed Paul Green was suffering from a debilitating brain condition before his sudden death.

The NRL has vowed to continue its fight against brain injuries as Parramatta great Ray Price joined a growing band of figures calling for change following Paul Green’s worrying diagnosis.

Rugby league’s concussion crisis has deepened following revelations Green was suffering from a debilitating brain condition at the time of his sudden death.

Green took his life on August 11 at his Brisbane home aged 49, with a post-mortem revealing he had advanced CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) – a crippling brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.

Paul Green pictured with his wife Amanda Green. Picture: Facebook

Green’s widow Amanda revealed her late husband’s diagnosis to News Corp on Saturday, saying there were no signs her husband had mental health issues or was about to end his life.

The father-of-two played 162 first grade games during a stellar playing career that saw him crowned the league’s best player in 1995.

He went on to lead North Queensland to its maiden NRL premiership in 2015 and the Maroons in the 2021 State of Origin series.

Green’s shock CTE diagnosis has further thrust the spotlight on the brutal potential consequences of contact sports, in particular rugby league.

Paul Green was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy following his tragic death.

The NRL has taken huge strides in concussion management over the past decade and CEO Andrew Abdo said the game was continually working to improve player safety.

“It is very sad to hear that Paul was suffering from this condition,” he said.

“We know this is an area of considerable debate and requires ongoing scientific research.

“We are investing resources to monitor and evaluate the current scientific evidence.

“The NRL has a strong track record of putting player welfare first and we have policies in place for head injury protocols from grassroots to elite.”

Green is at least the second former rugby league player to be diagnosed with CTE following Canterbury great Steve Folkes, who died in 2018 from a heart irregularity.

The condition can only be diagnosed post-mortem following analysis of the deceased person’s brain.

Parramatta Eels rugby league legend Ray Price has revealed his battle with dementia. Picture: Adam Head

Earlier this month, Eels legend Price revealed his battle with dementia and urged NRL authorities to get tough on high tackles to prevent the threat of CTE and brain-trauma injuries for future NRL stars.

Price says he is also considering whether to one day donate his brain to help CTE research.

“There would be a fair few players from my era who will be battling dementia and brain injuries. It will not go away and the game and the referees have to make sure they stop high shots in the game,” he said.

“There’s no doubt the head knocks I copped during my playing days has caused my brain damage.

“I believe the referees of that era had the weapons to stop these tackles from occurring and they refused to do it. It’s crap.

“I do remember games where I would cop a knock and be dazed and we just got up and played on. That was what we did back then.

“The game looks after players a lot more today than they did when I played.

“The game has to stop high tackles – that’s why I fully support what’s going on in the game today.”

Paul Green with wife Amanda.

The NRL has worked hard to minimise head trauma and the way it is handled compared to earlier eras.

The game has cracked down hard on high-contact tackles and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys last week said he will not relent in his bid to protect players from brain-trauma threats.

“What I am concerned about is making sure we have the best and safest game for the player,” he said.

“I don’t want any person who plays our game to suffer any after-effects with brain damage or concussions.”

Originally published as Ailing NRL legend Ray Price demands change after Green’s shock diagnosis