Paul Green death: Rugby league mourns loss of legendary player and coach

A devastating detail about the timing of Paul Green’s sudden death has been revealed as the rugby league world mourns.

Paul Green was celebrating his young son’s birthday party just 24 hours before the sudden death of the premiership-winning Cowboys coach that has rocked the NRL fraternity.

Former Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini captured the broken hearts of the rugby league world as he detailed his devastation after the tragic passing of one of Queensland’s most successful NRL figures.

Lancini hired Green to the Cowboys in 2014 and 12 months later, the coach delivered North Queens­land’s maiden premiership, breaking a 20-year drought with their extra-time grand final defeat of the Broncos.

Green, who was turning 50 next month, died at his Brisbane home shortly after 10am on Thursday. It has been confirmed that he took his life.

As rugby league’s biggest names spoke of their heartbreak, the Green family said they were still coming to terms with the tragedy.

“We are devastated,” spokesman Lyall Mercer said in a statement.

Paul Green celebrates the 2015 NRL Grand Final victory.

“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son.

“We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support. Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy.

“Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss.”

Not even Green’s wife Amanda, or his closest friends, were aware he was struggling.

Last week, he met with coach Wayne Bennett to discuss joining new franchise the Dolphins next season as his assistant, before embarking on a trip to Sydney for a Cronulla Sharks weekend reunion.

Three days ago, he called Lancini for a chat and suggested they catch up for a beer.

At 4.30pm on Wednesday, Green called one of the most trusted associates, his long-time manager George Mimis, to detail a day of birthday celebrations for son Jed, the youngest of his two children.

Less than 24 hours after Jed’s birthday bash, Ms Green went to the gym for pilates and returned home to find her husband unconscious, prompt­ing an urgent triple-0 call.

Paramedics were unable to revive Green.

“Police were called to a Wynnum residence just after 10am this morning after a 49-year-old was located unresponsive,” a police spokeswoman said.

“He was declared deceased by emergency crews a short time later. There are no suspicious circumstances.”

Paul Green with former Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini. Picture: Evan Morgan

Green’s seven-season tenure at the Cowboys ended in 2020. He served as Queensland Origin coach last season before standing down after one series and since then, he had been regularly mentioned as a coaching option at a ­number of NRL clubs. He was on track to make a comeback with the Dolphins in 2023.

Green was keeping busy during his NRL unemployment. He was doing motivational speaking and last month took on a trip to the Simpson Desert with Amanda and sons Jed and Emerson for the Big Red Bash festival at Birdsville.

Lancini, one of Green’s most valued friends in footy, cannot believe he is gone.

“This is so, so sad. I am a broken man. I cannot believe this has happened,” said Lancini, who left the Cowboys in 2019 after a 20-year tenure.

“I had spoken to Paul just three days ago and he said we need to catch up for a beer.

“’Greeny’ is a lifelong mate. We were good friends.

“There is only one coach who can ever take our club to the first premiership and that was Paul Green. He will always be a champion in our hearts. He will always be so important for our Cowboys club.”

Paul Green and Johnathan Thurston celebrate grand final victory in 2015. Picture: Brett Costello

Green’s passing comes three months after the tragic death of his close friend, former Test cricketer Andrew Symonds.

Lancini said the former halfback, who coached Wynnum Manly to successive titles in the Queensland Cup in 2011-12, was keen to resurrect his NRL coaching career.

“I didn’t see his death coming,” he said.

“I just feel totally devastated, I believe it was his son Jed’s birthday yesterday.

“Greeny mentioned he was keen to coach again and had some options and I asked Greeny if he really wanted to go back into it again.

“I said to Paul, ‘The last club you coached, you took the Cowboys to the premiership and you took us to two grand finals … just leave coaching behind and do something else’. But Greeny still had that real drive. He wanted to coach again.

“Greeny was doing some work for Mick Power (who runs construction firm BMD) and doing some motivational speaking. He has coached at the highest levels and I think Greeny was a bit lost and confused about where his life needed to be without coaching.

“The thing about Greeny is he was a high achiever and high achievers always want to be achieving something. The last few years have been a bit tough on him because he hasn’t been coaching in the NRL. I said to Greeny, ‘just take your time and the right opportunity will come along’.”

The extended Roosters family are deeply saddened to have lost Paul Green, a Rooster for life. Our thoughts are with his family.

Forever #Rooster998pic.twitter.com/I8eSaB68bF

— Sydney Roosters 🐓 (@sydneyroosters) August 11, 2022

Shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Green's death. Deepest condolences to his friends and family.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 11, 2022

This is so sad. Paul was a close mate, we moved to Sydney together in 1993….the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career.
My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad.
Rest In Peace mate. https://t.co/idlWrorHeH

— Martin Lang (@Martin_Lang11) August 11, 2022

Green played for Cronulla, North Queensland, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane, winning the Rothmans Medal in 1995 and amassing 162 first-grade games between 1994-2004.

He played seven Origins for Queensland and made the Australian Super League team in two internationals in 1997.

“Greeny was very passionate, very intense and he was a real perfectionist,” Lancini said. “He liked things to be perfect and it can be hard when you have that sort of personality. But that passion he had took us to a premiership and we will always be grateful for what he did for our club.

“He was a highly intelligent guy. He had a pilot’s licence and had a real thirst for knowledge. He gave us the most spectacular achievement our club will ever experience.

“Paul was a good man for our club and a great family man. He took the Cowboys to our first premiership in 2015 and now he is gone, I am beyond heartbroken.”

In recent weeks, Mimis had asked Green about whether he wanted to return to the high pressure of NRL coaching.

Green had some scar tissue from his difficult finish at the Cowboys and the Maroons’ drama-charged 2021 series loss.

But Mimis said Green was adamant – he had unfinished business in the NRL.

“Greeny was talented, intelligent, tough, resilient and more determined than most,” Mimis said.

Paul Green during his time at the Cowboys. Picture: Wesley Monts

“Paul was able to reach the top in everything that he embarked on, both on and off the footy field.

“He was an out-and-out winner. He had a quick turn of wit that always left you with a smile on our face.

“He will be sorely missed but always remembered.

“We have not only lost one of the great NRL icons … we also lost an incredible human.”