Paul Green’s family responds to Billy Slater’s controversial comments on eve of State of Origin 2

Billy Slater used Paul Green’s death in his spat with former NSW Blues player Aaron Woods on Tuesday, and now Green’s family has spoken out.

The brother of the late Paul Green has expressed the family’s disappointment in the manner in which his death was referenced by Billy Slater in the lead-up to Game 2.

After an unusually subdued build-up to Game 1, which NSW claimed 18-6 in Brisbane, a feud between Maroons coach Billy Slater and former Blue Aaron Woods has exploded in the lead-up to Game 2 in Perth.

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Woods called Slater a “grub” last week, before Slater responded in an explosive press conference on Tuesday, referencing mental health concerns and the death of former Queensland coach Paul 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.

Paul Green's family expressed their disappointment with Billy Slater's comments. Image: Getty

“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.

The Green family are determined to educate the public that Paul died as a result of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and not as a result of a battle with depression, as was implied by Slater.

And his brother, Rick Green, said on Wednesday that the Queensland coach’s remarks were “unfortunate,” but the family accepted his apology.

“The family regrets that Paul’s name was brought into the current narrative and the manner this has been done,” Green’s brother Rick Green said on behalf of his mother and siblings in a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“The family wants to reiterate that we love Queensland and its team. We also bear great respect for the person charged with the team’s performance.

“It was unfortunate that Mr Slater made the reference that he did, but he has responded appropriately and apologised without reservation. We sincerely wish him the best in his role as the coach of our state team.”

Paul Green coached the Maroons in 2021 before taking his life the following year, in a moment that rocked the rugby league world. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Green family’s statement comes after just hours earlier Slater called an impromptu press conference to apologise for his Green remarks.

 “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.”

Originally published as Paul Green’s family responds to Billy Slater’s controversial comments on eve of State of Origin 2