Paul Green reveals how his slow start to his coaching career helped shape him into an Origin coach

Paul Green is the latest name to join the long line of legends to coach the Queensland Maroons. But it may not have happened if not for two critical moments in his coaching career.

He’s won premierships at every level and made history along the way but Paul Green has revealed the moments which made his road to becoming a Queensland Maroons State of Origin coach possible.

A decade ago while coaching his beloved Wynnum Manly Seagulls, the former Maroons halfback and hooker, was asked what his dream coaching job was.

“State of Origin,” Green said.

Fast forward 10 years and the 48-year-old is at the helm of the iconic Maroons but said it may have never happened if he didn’t make a tough decision at the start of his coaching career.

New QLD State of Origin Coach Paul Green at Suncorp Stadium.

“A moment I probably look back on is my decision to leave the (Brisbane) Broncos as an assistant coach and start my career as a head coach in the Intrust Super Cup with the Seagulls,” Green said.

“Some people probably think you’re mad leaving the NRL because it’s the top level and because of the resources and everything you have there but I needed to cut my teeth as a head coach and the Seagulls was the perfect place to do that.

Paul Green scoring a try for Queensland in 1999. Picture: Anthony Weate

And although he would go on to make history with Wynnum Manly, taking the famous club to its first ever back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012, Green’s start to his head coaching career was anything but ideal.

His first game in charge of the Seagulls in 2010 was a scoreless draw with the Burleigh Bears before the team ended up being knocked out by eventual premiers, the Northern Pride in the finals series.

But it was his second year that could have made or broke the man who has now reached the game’s pinnacle that is State of Origin.

Paul Green during his time with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Wynnum Manly, featuring stars such as former Queensland and Australian forward Dane Carlaw, Bronco Mitchell Dodds as well as Jake Granville and Luke Dalziel-Don, started the 2011 season with six consecutive losses and pressure was mounting on Green.

“There was a lot of pressure, mainly me putting pressure on myself because as a competitor you want to win,” he said.

“We had some injuries but that was no excuse and every game we thought we’ll get one on the board here but it just didn’t happen and we lost some close games.

“Then we played Mackay in Mackay in game seven and it was Jake Granville who made a late break and set up the winning try late in the game and from there, the season completely changed.”

The Seagulls would later complete a fairytale season, coming from sixth spot in the finals to upset Tweed Heads in the grand final and capture the club’s first premiership since 1995.

Paul Green holding the Intrust Super Cup premiership trophy after leading the Seagulls to back-to-back trophies in 2012.

It was an experience that would not only help Green helped the North Queensland Cowboys win a maiden premiership four years later but a season that would ultimately shape the born and bred baysider into the coach he is today.

“There’s no doubt that year was a massive point in my career,” Green said.

“That really tested my belief in myself, I think that was the biggest thing because you lose two and you think ‘we’ll be right this week’ and then you lose three and you think the same thing.

Paul Green with the Sydney Roosters in 2013.

“I was young in my coaching career and I was staring down the barrel after that start but I just kept it simple and stuck to what I believed in because I think when you get in trouble is when you try and come up with a magic fix.

“From there we just started putting wins on the board, getting that belief and went on to win it.

“Going through that experience as a coach you learn what to do in those tough situations and how to get yourself out of it.

Johnathan Thurston talks with coach Paul Green at the Cowboys in 2015. Picture: Adam Head

“The same thing happened in 2015 with the Cowboys, we started with three losses and then had a miracle comeback against Melbourne to win and got that same belief to end up winning the competition.

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“I probably learned how to deal with that situation when I was at Wynnum.”

Green and the Seagulls were able to repeat as premiers in 2012 before he would achieve more success in 2013 after winning an NRL title as an assistant with the Sydney Roosters.

Paul Green and Jonathan Thurston celebrating the 2015 NRL premiership. Picture: Brett Costello

He then went on to become the most successful coach in Cowboys history, winning a premiership in 2015 and making another grand final appearance in 2017 before moving on from the club last year following two consecutive seasons without a finals appearance.

But for a man who bleeds rugby league, there were three people who helped him through the public criticism and struggles that come with being an NRL coach.

“My wife (Amanda), has been incredible throughout my whole career and especially through the tough times and without her I don’t get to where I am today, which is my dream job of coaching the Maroons,” Green said.

Paul Green with his family, wife Amanda, son Jed, 18 months, and daughter Emerson, 5, when they moved to Townsville in 2014. Picture: Wesley Monts

“Her and my two kids, Emerson (12) and Jed (8) they are what helps you get through the tough times and these past six also months have been great for me because I’ve been able to spend a lot more time with them.”

Now following in the long line of legendary coaches who have led Queensland since 1980 – the likes of Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis, Wayne Bennett, Mal Meninga and more – Green said he was “humbled” to be in the position.

He also said he got goosebumps every time he thought about coaching the Maroons at a packed Suncorp Stadium laster this year as Queensland look to build on their miracle win from last year.