The sudden death of legendary NRL figure Paul Green, 49, at his home on Thursday is ‘not suspicious’ – with a post-mortem set to determine the exact cause.
Queensland Police were called to Green’s family home in Wynnum, in Brisbane’s east, just after 10am on Thursday after he was found unresponsive in his garage.
A police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that Green was declared dead at the scene by paramedics a short time later.
‘There are no suspicious circumstances,’ she said.
Those close to the ex-Cronulla Sharks star are devastated and said there was no outward indication of him suffering a physical or mental illness.
He leaves behind his wife Amanda and two children – Jed and Emerson.
Green was a star as both a player and coach, taking out one of the game’s highest honours when he won the Rothmans Medal in 1995
Green was only in his second year as coach of the North Queensland Cowboys when he guided them to their only premiership in 2015
The death of the former halfback – who took out one of the sport’s highest awards as a player when he collected the Rothmans Medal in 1995 – has thrown the footy world into shock and mourning.
Cameron Smith, regarded by many as one of the greatest NRL players of all time, expressing his shock at Green’s sudden death.
‘It’s very sad news,’ Smith said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
‘It’s a very sad day for all involved with the rugby league family and the rugby league community, and we send our condolences out to the entire Green family.’
Martin Lang reflected on happy memories shared with his former teammate.
‘This is so sad,’ he wrote. ‘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.’
Green quit as the Cowboys’ coach in 2020 but was still highly rated in the league and was due to be an assistant to Wayne Bennett with the Dolphins next year.
Green leaves behind his wife Amanda and two children – Emerson and Jed
Queensland Police were called to Green’s family home in Wynnum, in Brisbane’s east, just after 10am on Thursday after he was found unresponsive in his garage (pictured)
Green leaves behind his wife Amanda (pictured together at the 2017 Dally M Awards) and his children Jed and Emerson
He was in Sydney last weekend for a reunion for the Cronulla Sharks, the team he starred at halfback for from 1994 to 1998, guiding them to the 1997 Super League grand final.
Green went on to play from the Cowboys, Roosters and Eels in a first-grade career that spanned 10 years and ended in 2004, racking up 162 games with 37 tries to his name.
In his last public appearance just days before his death, Green joined dozens of iconic Sharks stars doing a lap of honour around PointsBet Stadium.
He appeared in good spirits during the match against arch-rivals St George Illawarra for Old Boys Day Saturday night – and gave a short interview.
‘It’s great to be back,’ Green told Sharks ground announcer Dane Wheeler.
‘It’s a terrific night, great crowd and the weather is good for Shark Park, so let’s hope the footy is great.
‘I’ve had plenty of good memories and it’s great to catch up with all the old boys today, it’s been a ton of laughs and really well done by the club.’
The diminutive half played seven State of Origin games for Queensland from 1998 to 2001 and played two matches for the Australian Super League team in 1997.
Paul Green’s last public appearance came just days before his shock death – speaking on his ‘good memories’ while attending an NRL game with former teammates on Saturday
His stellar coaching career began with the Cowboys in 2014 and the next year he guided the club to their only premiership, a thrilling 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in extra time.
Green coached Queensland’s State of Origin team for one series in 2021. When he resigned from that job last September, it appeared certain he would resume his days as an NRL coach.
He was linked to Wests Tigers at the end of last season and was expected to take on a role at the Dolphins next year.
Green’s death will hit the NRL hard.
Beyond those still at North Queensland, he has coached several players across the game who began their careers in Townsville or played for the Maroons last year.
The halfback won the Rothmans Medal in 1995 while playing for Cronulla (pictured) – the team he helped take to the Super League grand final in 1997
Green embraces Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans after the Maroons won game three of last year’s State of Origin series – his last game as coach
On Thursday night alone Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates and Viliame Kikau were among those due to take to the field just hours after learning of their former coach’s death.
Green was in Sydney only last weekend for the Cronulla ex-players’ reunion, a club where he played 95 games before moving north to the Cowboys.
He was also a part of the Sydney Roosters’ 2002 premiership-winning squad, before finishing his playing days at Parramatta and Brisbane.
For confidential crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
‘We are deeply saddened at the tragic passing of Queenslander and former Bronco, Paul Green,’ the Broncos tweeted.
‘A legend on and off the field gone far too soon.’
His passing is another shocking loss to the Australian sporting community following the deaths of Australian cricket legends Rod Marsh, Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds – a good friend of Green’s – earlier this year.
For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
More Stories
Furious Lions star Dayne Zorko claims AFL has legalised attacks on players’ genitals after rival who left him with ‘bruised’ groin got off with just a fine
Manchester United 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Errors in defence lead Ten Hag’s men to defeat in Las Vegas
LeBron James ‘kept telling diners how grateful he was’ to be at dinner with son Bronny, 18, just four days after his cardiac arrest in basketball practice