The NRL community is in mourning after the passing of former Queensland State of Origin coach and rugby league star, Paul Green, aged 49. Green spent a decade playing at the top level, finishing his playing career in 2004 and immediately moving into coaching roles for various teams, most notably leading the Cowboys to their grand final win in 2015.
Gus Worland’s emotional plea to Australians after sudden death of Paul Green
Mental health advocate Gus Worland issued an emotional plea to Australians following the sudden death of Paul Green.The 49-year-old was found dead on Thursday morning, the cause of death later revealed to be suicide.
Worland – who founded the Gotcha4Life charity – was shattered to learn of the news, and spoke to Nine’s NRL broadcast to send an urgent message to the nation.
“Seven Australian men that wake up this morning won’t wake up tomorrow morning, two women, and we have people attempting suicide at such a rapid rate,” Worland said.
“It was so sad to hear about Greeny, and I think this is a line in the sand as a sport and as a nation to say enough is enough.
Paul Green’s sudden death leaves Johnathan Thurston ‘absolutely devastated’
North Queensland Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston flew back home to be with his family after he was left “absolutely devastated” by the news that his former coach, Paul Green, had died aged 49.
On Channel Nine’s coverage of the Panthers-Storm game on Thursday night, Thurston, the co-captain and Clive Churchill medallist of Green’s premiership-winning Cowboys side, was absent.
Cameron Smith said he spent a few hours with Thurston on Thursday afternoon before his friend, colleague and former Maroons teammate returned home to be with his family and his beloved North Queensland community.
Peter Psaltis: What I’d say to my mate Paul Green if I had one more chance
It’s a sad day.
The rugby league community lost a good one with the sudden death of Paul Green. I’m still in a state of shock. There have been lots of tributes to Green, well here is mine.
Passionate, kind, loyal, competitive and a good person to have as a mate, that’s how I’d sum up Paul Green. I first saw him play in the early 90s. He was a Wynnum junior but he made his mark playing for the Easts Tigers.
Paul Green one of the most ‘decorated people in our game’: Mal Meninga
Kangaroos Coach and NRL Immortal Mal Meninga says NRL legend Paul Green is one of the “most decorated people in our game”.
“He played the game at the highest level and won personal accolades at that level,” Mr Meninga told Sky News Australia.
“He got the best out of people.”
Tributes flow: Premiership-winning coach Paul Green dies aged 49
Former Cowboys Assistant Coach John Cartwright sat next to Paul Green in the 2015 NRL Grand Final box.
He told Jim Wilson the rugby league world is in shock.
“We’re in shock, I would hate to think what they’re [Paul’s family] is going through.”
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