“We are devastated today,” Green’s family said in a statement.
“We have lost a devoted husband, a loving father and a wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that come close to expressing our feelings, but we would like to thank those who have reached out to us with their love and support .
“Paul was loved by many and we know this news will generate immense interest, but we ask for privacy at this time.
“Our family is still trying to come to terms with this tragedy and we ask for space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thanks.”
It has been confirmed that he took his own life.
Green delivered the North Queensland Cowboys their first NRL premiership, and Townsville their only State of Home game.
A 162-game first grader, Green had a successful playing career with Cronulla, North Queensland, the Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane.
But arguably his most memorable moment came in the coaches’ box at Sydney Olympic Stadium in 2015 when he steered the Cowboys to their first NRL premiership.
Michael Morgan’s remarkable last-second pass for Kyle Feldt’s try, followed by Johnathan Thurston’s golden point field goal, handed North Queensland their first NRL title.
Green’s reaction to the coaches’ box has featured heavily in NRL highlight reels in the seven years since.
Scenes in Townsville had never been seen before as the Cowboys returned to a hero’s welcome and the party lasted for weeks in the league-mad city.
Despite his two best players in Thurston and Matt Scott being injured, Green coached the Cowboys to another NRL grand final in 2017, where they lost to the Melbourne Storm.
He parted ways with the Cowboys in 2020 after seven years, but Green wasn’t done bringing joy to Townsville.
On the day of his death, it can be revealed that Green was the key figure in Townsville hosting a State of Origin game for the first time in 2021.
As Covid ravaged the East Coast last winter, it became increasingly unlikely that the MCG would be able to host the first game of the series.
The NRL started to get nervous about the game and Green, preparing for his first series as Queensland coach, sensed an opportunity to hand Townsville a piece of Origin history.
“He was the biggest thing in bringing this game to Townsville,” recalled QRL president Bruce Hatcher.
“He was very passionate about North Queensland.
“Rob Moore (former QRL chief executive), Paul and I were in the back of a taxi going to a meeting and he said, ‘You haven’t done enough to bring Origin to Townsville, this is the perfect opportunity.’
“I texted the Premier (Annastacia Palaszczuk) and said we need to get active on this. She replied within 20 seconds and said ‘great idea’.
“The rest is history. It’s remarkable, everything else came out of his push for it. That was Greeny.
“Most likely we won’t see another Origin game in Townsville.
“He had a passion for the game and the state. He lived the values.”
Following Green’s push and with the help of the Queensland Government, the first match of the 2021 Origin series was played at a sell-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
The granoons suffered a 50-6 defeat, but the town has never seen such excitement and was in high spirits in the days and hours leading up to the game.
Green’s one run in charge of the Maroons was littered with injuries and controversies beyond his control, such as Ronaldo Mulitalo’s eligibility scandal and Jai Arrow’s Covid breach.
He rescued Queensland from a 3-0 deficit with a win on the Gold Coast in the final game of the series and Hatcher said Green relished his chance to coach his beloved Maroons, with whom he played seven Origin matches.
“His approach to Origin was exemplary. He was a very well-planned coach, but all our Queensland teams were in the bottom half of the NRL last year,” Hatcher said.
“He inherited a crappy sandwich and it got worse. Nothing went right. Our key players weren’t playing well and a lot of players were injured.
“We had a lot of adversity, but he took the job and did it. We won the third game against incredible odds.
“He was very appreciative of the opportunity and was honest enough to say he really wanted to get back into coaching full-time in the NRL so he couldn’t commit to a longer contract.
“We had lunch between March and April this year and talked about a lot of things about football, life and business – he had it all going for him.
“He contacted me two weeks ago about some things I was doing. We had seen each other at a few functions.
“I’m totally shocked and very emotional. I just can’t believe it.”
‘I haven’t stopped crying’: Wendell’s glowing tribute, broke Thurston
Wendell Sailor played alongside Paul Green in Queensland and said he was devastated by the news.
“I just started crying,” Sailor told Triple M.
“I played Origin with Greeny, my last Origin was with Greeny. He was one of those blokes you were always happy to see. Typical half-assed guy.
“I have to be honest: I haven’t stopped crying all afternoon. I’m heartbroken. I actually called JT (Johnathan Thurston) on the way out.
“He got the call. I said can you believe it? He goes, I don’t know what to say. I want to celebrate such a great man, but it’s so raw.
“He was tough. He was good on the sled, too. Everything he did, he was competitive. He was that guy with talent everywhere, but also that guy who had no enemies.
“I don’t want to be sad. I want to celebrate a great human.”
Johnathan Thurston is said to be shattered.
Thurston had flown to Sydney to commentate Thursday night’s game between Penrith and the Melbourne Storm for Channel 9, but was too devastated by the news and flew straight back to Townsville.
“Our mate Johnathan Thurston was supposed to be with us here,” host James Bracey told the Channel 9 broadcast.
“We send our condolences to JT, who is hurting.”
Former Cronulla and Queensland teammate Mat Rogers said he was surprised after spending several days with Green last week.
Green appeared in high spirits, revealing to Rogers that he had just bought a boat for his family to enjoy while the pair played 18 holes at the New South Wales golf course.
“I can’t believe it,” Rogers told Nine News. “Just spent the last few days in Sydney with Greenie, playing golf together in NSW…he was telling me about the new boat he bought for him and his family to enjoy and get out on the water.”
NRL rocked by Paul Green’s sudden death
The rugby league world is mourning the sudden death of premiership winner coach Paul Green.
The 49-year-old died on Thursday morning at his home in Brisbane.
Friends have been left shocked and devastated by his death.
He had been regularly mentioned as a coaching option at a number of NRL clubs this season and was set to return in 2023.
The news comes just three months after the tragic death of his close friend, former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds, rocked the wider sporting community.
Green was in Sydney just last weekend for the Cronulla Sharks meeting.
Green played for Cronulla, North Queensland, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane, winning the Rothmans Medal in 1995.
It was the home state of Queensland and Australia’s international representative. As coach, Green guided the Cowboys to their first premiership in 2015.
He last coached the Queensland State of Origin team in 2021.
Green is survived by his wife Amanda and sons Emerson and Jed.
Queensland Police issued a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“Police were called to a residence in Wynnum shortly after 10am this morning after a 49-year-old man was unresponsive,” a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
“He was pronounced dead by emergency crews a short time later.
“There are no suspicious circumstances. A report will be prepared for the coroner.”
NRL PAYS TRIBUTE TO GREEN PASSIONATE, INTELLIGENT AND WILD
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys paid tribute to Green on Thursday afternoon.
“Paul was a brilliant player, and then he became one of the few who made a very successful transition into coaching,” V’landys said.
“As a player, he represented Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos, and throughout his career built a reputation as a tough as well as skilful half-back. Paul was awarded the Rothmans Medal in 1995.
“As a coach, he led the North Queensland Cowboys to one of the most famous Grand Final victories of all time – against the Brisbane Broncos in 2015.
“He represented Queensland and Australia as a player, and just last year coached the Maroons in the State of Origin series.
“I had the pleasure of serving on the NRL competition committee and found Paul to be a passionate, intelligent and resourceful person. Our condolences go out to his family and his many friends.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo added: “We are deeply saddened by this loss and on behalf of the game I would like to express our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, his friends and those who have been inspired and guided by him during the course of his long career.”
GREEN’S FINAL PUBLIC APPEARANCE AT SHARK PARK
Smiling and excited, Paul Green mingled with his closest teammates from 25 years ago on Saturday night.
At Cronulla’s Pointbet Stadium for the Sharks’ annual Old Boys Day, Green, who represented the club between 1994 and 1998, was applauded as he and his former team-mates did a lap of honour.
“It’s great to be back,” Green told Sharks announcer Dane Wheeler.
“It’s a great night, lots of people and the weather is good for Shark Park so hopefully the footy will be great.
“I’ve had lots of great memories and it’s great to catch up with all the oldies today, it’s been loads of laughs and well done to…