Paul Green’s wife reacts to Billy Slater firestorm in fiery build-up to State of Origin Game 2

The widow of former Queensland coach Paul Green has opened up about the impact of Billy Slater’s comments in the lead-up to State of Origin.

The widow of the late Paul Green, Amanda, says her “heart breaks for Billy Slater” after the Maroons coach came under heavy fire in the lead-up to State of Origin Game 2 after insinuating the former Queensland and Cowboys coach took his own life as a result of the mental toll of coaching.

After an unusually subdued build-up to Game 1, a feud between Maroons coach Billy Slater and former Blues prop Aaron Woods exploded in the lead-up to Game 2.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Woods called Slater a “grub” last week, before the 42-year-old coach responded in an explosive and emotional press conference on Tuesday, referencing mental health concerns and the death of Green.

“You don’t know what people are going through. Although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be. Maybe our last coach (Green) didn’t,” Slater said in response to the Wood’s “grub” barb.

“I believe the character of a person is judged more on what they say about people, and how they treat people, than what an individual says to create attention about someone. There’s your answer.”

Green coached the Maroons in 2021 before taking his own life the following year in a moment that rocked the rugby league community.

So Slater mistakenly linking her husband’s death to the stress of coaching and not the brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), understandably caused a mass uproar from league fans.

Paul Green's widow Amanda says she feels sorry for Billy Slater. Image: Getty

As a result, the Maroons coach called an impromptu press conference the following day to apologise to both the Green family and the rugby league world.

“Yesterday, I wrongly made the link between Paul Green’s death and the stress and pressures of coaching, which wasn’t accurate, nor was it appropriate,” Slater said.

“I feel terrible about what I said. I spoke to Amanda Green this morning and apologised for any hurt that may have caused her and her family.

“Paul had CTE, which is a different disease to what I was referring to. Once again, I’m deeply and genuinely sorry.”

It was a move that Amanda said showed his character and highlighted the need to educate more people about the dangers of CTE.

“To begin with, I would like to say how very courageous it was of Billy to call me, completely unprompted, yesterday,” Ms Green said in a statement to Code Sports.

“My heart breaks for Billy Slater as a partner of someone who has been in his position. I completely understand the pressures of the role. It shows a lot about his true character and what a fine role model he is for young men. I commend and admire him for that.

“Yesterday’s commentary did highlight to me just how far we still must go in raising awareness and understanding around CTE. Paul was diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE. Severe CTE. He was living with a very advanced brain disease.”

CTE is a brain disease that is widely believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, which result in the death of nerve cells in the brain.

The disease can lead to a range of severe mental and physical health problems, including cognitive decline, mood disorders, and motor skill impairments. 

Originally published as Paul Green’s wife reacts to Billy Slater firestorm in fiery build-up to State of Origin Game 2