New Wynnum Manly coach Mathew Head aims to take club to same heights as Paul Green

Wynnum Manly giant Paul Green’s final contribution to the club he loved most could be the turning point the side needs to revisit the legendary success he achieved as head coach — here’s what he did.

The man who hopes to take historic Queensland rugby league club the Wynnum Manly Seagulls to the same heights as Paul Green has spoken about how much he wanted the NRL legend as a mentor, just days after his tragic death.

Former NRL playmaker and current St George Illawarra Dragons assistant coach Mathew Head was recently named as the new Seagulls coach as he prepares to take over from Adam Brideson at the end of the current Hostplus Cup season.

Green, who died last week, was a significant part of the process in hiring a new coach for Wynnum Manly and Head said he couldn’t wait to learn from the Seagulls legend, who led the club to its first ever back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.

Mathew Head, who was announced as the Wynnum Manly Seagulls new coach, in action during his NRL career for St George.

“Greeny was a big part of the interview process, you kind of got asked questions by the CEO and then whenever Greeny had a question or wanted me to elaborate on something, he’d chip in,” Head said.

“Just to have someone of his stature in the game, who took the club to such heights and also did great things in the NRL, was a bit nerve-racking.

“You’re kind of in awe a little bit.

“But you just heard how much the club means to him and how much, like I do now, he wants the Seagulls to succeed.

“I spoke to the club when I got the job about wanting to learn from him and have him around, it was going to be a special opportunity that I was really looking forward to.

Paul Green celebrating the 2012 premiership with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

“I just want to try and take the club to where he did.”

Almost a week after Green’s passing, Head said his thoughts went out to his family, friends and everyone who knew the bayside product.

He also said he would be remembered as a legend of the game.

The 40-year-old Wagga Wagga product will move to the bayside at the end of the Dragons’ season and said joining a long list of greats of the game to coach the Seagulls, featuring the likes of Wally Lewis, Green and Des Morris, was a dream come true.

“You look at the history the club has and not only some of the players who have represented the Seagulls but the coaches as well, it’s such a legendary club and it’s incredible to join a place with so much rich history,” Head said.

New Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach Mathew Head playing for the Wests Tigers.

“I’ve heard so many things about the people at the club, the staff, the players and most of all the fans and the famous Chook Pen and I just can’t wait to play in front of them.

“The biggest thing I love about what I’ve heard about the Seagulls is how much the community means to them and how much the Seagulls mean to the community.”

And while Head is moving out of the NRL to coach the Seagulls, the former St Helens star said it was a major step towards his dream of one day leading a side at the top level.

“Being an assistant at the Dragons has been great, I have learned so much but coaching Wynnum Manly I get to run my own program, put my own systems in place and sort of be in charge, which is the way it is at the NRL level,” he said.

“So obviously one day coaching in the NRL is my goal but as soon as I move to Wynnum, I just want to focus on adding to how much success the club has had.

“Brideo (Brideson) has done an incredible job, making the last two grand finals, so I’m not going to come in and change everything, instead I just want to build on what is already there.”