“One of our greatest”. North Queensland Cowboys pay tribute to Paul Green
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
The North Queensland Cowboys have paid tribute to their former premiership-winning coach, Paul Green, who died at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning.
It’s been confirmed he took his own life.
Cowboys chairman, Lewis Ramsay, paid tribute to Mr Green’s decorated history with the team and his pivotal impact on the club.
“Paul first came to our club as a player in the late 90s and was the club’s first Origin representative.
“But his lasting legacy emanated from his seven-season tenure as head coach.
“Paul’s arrival transformed our club from finals contenders to an immediate premiership force, culminating in the historic 2015 Grand Final victory.
“We will forever remember Paul as one of the greatest contributors in Cowboys history.”
Current Cowboys coach, Todd Payten, said tomorrow’s match against the Roosters will go ahead in Sydney, and the club and the NRL are working to ensure player well-being following the sad news.
“It’s been a difficult 24 hours. As a club, as a group, we just have to put our arms around each other, and we’d like to perform well in Paul’s honour.
“Myself and my family owe him a great deal of gratitude. He gave me an opportunity to bring my family up here when I didn’t have a job, and that was his decision.
“He made me a better coach, in many different ways, certainly he challenged everyone around him to be better. He was good company, he was a good father, a good person.
“He is always going to be the coach of our maiden premiership, he’s etched in our history books. He made a significant contribution to our club and he’s going to be sorely missed.”
Mr Payten said the team will wear black armbands at tomorrow’s game, and will do something to honour Paul Green’s memory at next week’s home game in Townsville.
Mr Green played 162 games across five different clubs as a halfback, five-eighth and hooker while also playing seven State of Origins for Queensland.
He coached the Cowboys in 167 games between 2014 and 2020.
