The Sharks join the NRL community in mourning the tragic and sudden passing of former Cronulla player Paul Green.
Shark #290, Green played 95 top grade games for the Cronulla club from 1994-1998, before going onto become a premiership-winner, first as a player at the Roosters, then as a coach of the North Queensland Cowboys.
He represented the Sharks in the 1997 Super League Grand Final, with Green also playing seven State of Origin games for Queensland from 1998 to 2001 and two matches for the Australian Super League team.
Green was at PointsBet Stadium last Saturday celebrating the annual Great White Sharks ‘Old Boys’ reunion, where he was in the company of friends and former teammates.
“To hear of Paul’s passing is a shock to many of us and especially those who came into contact with him at our Great White Sharks reunion day on Saturday,” Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said.
“Many of the Great Whites have made contact with the Club today expressing their sadness and shock, it has demonstrated on a number of levels how Paul was regarded and respected by his peers but also by many from our Club.
“Our thoughts and prayers at this extremely difficult time are with his family, friends and also his many former teammates, not only those he played with at Sharks, but also from the other clubs where he played and coached,” Mezzatesta added.
Following a first-grade career which began at the Sharks, Green went on to play for the North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos, before beginning his NRL coaching at the Cowboys in 2014, Green guiding the club to their only premiership, a thrilling 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in extra time.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys today also paid tribute to Green.
“Paul was a brilliant player, and then became one of the few to make a very successful transition into coaching,” V’landys said. “Throughout his career he had a reputation as a halfback who was as tough as he was skilful. Paul was rewarded with the Rothmans Medal in 1995.
“He represented Queensland and Australia as a player, and only last year coached the Maroons in the State of Origin series.
“I had the pleasure of sitting on the NRL Competition Committee and found Paul to be a passionate, smart and witty individual. Our condolences go to his family and to his many friends,” V’landys added.
The Sharks offer their sincere condolences to his wife Amanda, children Jed and Emerson, his former teammates and his many family and friends.
