Shark #290, Paul Green played 95 games in the black, white and blue, was a recipient of the Rothman’s Medal while at the Cronulla club, later becoming a premiership winning coach at the North Queensland Cowboys.
Sadly, last August the rugby league world was shocked when it emerged Green had been found dead, aged 49, however his memory will now be celebrated and his legacy honoured when two of his former clubs in the Sharks and Cowboys come together to play for the Paul Green Medal in recognition of his considerable contribution to the game.
With the inaugural Paul Green Medal match to be played at PointsBet Stadium in round nine of the 2023 season, the award will go to the man of the match, as chosen by the winning coach.
Players on both teams will play for the Medal each time the Sharks and Cowboys meet.
While celebrating and remembering Green is the principal focus, the Paul Green Medal match and the week leading up to it, will also be about raising awareness in relation to brain injury, mental health and in encouraging further research into head knocks in sport, the impact of concussion and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
Amanda Green, Paul’s children Emerson and Jed, along with their extended family and friends, will attend the PointsBet Stadium match, with the build-up to the game and for future meetings between the teams, focusing on further research and brain injury awareness.
"We can only say thank you to the Sharks and Cowboys for coming together to provide a medal that will ensure Paul's legacy lives on,'' Amanda told the Daily Telegraph.
"Paul had so many wonderful connections throughout the game, but it was at the Sharks and Cowboys where he forged deep relationships with both his teammates, club and supporters.
"This will be a wonderful thing for our kids going forward for them to appreciate just how high their dad was held at these clubs.''
Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta described the introduction of the Paul Green Medal as "befitting of a man who deeply impacted both clubs.''
"When we (Sharks) first raised the idea with Jeff about the Cowboys and Sharks coming together to honour one of our most loved coaches and players, we immediately agreed that our head-to-head games were the perfect opportunity to make sure we forever honour Paul,'' Mezzatesta said.
"We wouldn't do this without Amanda's blessing. Graciously, she accepted the gesture knowing what impact the Paul Green Medal will have for Emerson and Jed, and also our ability to raise awareness for head injuries in sport.
"Our coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his assistant Josh Hannay are deeply connected to the Green family through previously working with Paul, which gives us great confidence that the players will appreciate how special winning the Paul Green Medal will be.''
The Cowboys will have their opportunity to return serve and host the second Paul Green Medal match when the Sharks travel to Townsville in round 25 clash, with North Queensland CEO Jeff Reibel keen to do what they can to help raise funds and bring awareness to the cause.
"When Dino and I spoke, we also discussed what we could do to raise awareness around the brain bank and to ensure they're getting the donations and funding they need,'' Reibel said. "Just as important, it's a befitting legacy for his children. Amanda and the kids will forever have a reference point to just how much Paul meant to so many people in North Queensland and at Cronulla.''
