‘It hasn’t been easy’: Paul Green’s widow reflects on life without her husband

Almost a year after the sudden passing of rugby league icon and premiership-winning coach Paul Green, his wife has reflected on life since losing her beloved husband.

Green passed away suddenly at the age of 49 on Thursday, August 11 2022, in his Brisbane home.

It was later revealed that Green suffered from an advanced brain disease at the time of his death, bringing “some peace” to his devastated family.

As Green’s family work to come to terms with his death, Green’s wife, Amanda, has opened up about what that journey has looked like and how the family ensures he is always with them.

“We’re doing OK, it is very difficult at times but we just make sure we talk about him a lot basically every day, we remember the good times, we laugh a lot, Paul will never leave us and we just do things to make sure that never happens,” she told The Courier Mail.

“It hasn’t been easy I’m not going to lie but Paul’s CTE diagnosis definitely helped, it helped us rationalise what he did because it was so out of character, it helps us get our head around it, he was basically living with a terminal brain disease.

“It was just such a hard and traumatic time … I just could not understand what had happened as much as I tried to. The CTE diagnosis just helped it make sense to us.

“We just ensure he’s always part of what we’re doing. He’s always there in our everyday lives.”

As Green’s family continues to keep his legacy alive, the rugby league community honoured his legacy in their own way when they recently came together in a moving pre-match tribute.

When crowds gathered to see the North Queensland Cowboys face off against the Cronulla Sharks on Thursday, April 27 they took a moment to recognise Green’s contribution to the game.

Green’s two children, Jed and Emerson, led the teams out onto the field, as players and fans united in a minute-long round of applause to honour the rugby league legend. Amanda was visibly moved by the heartfelt display of affection.

Emerson & Jed Green will pay tribute to their dad as they lead the teams onto the field tonight ????

Shark #290
Cowboy #92 pic.twitter.com/4PRZl5qqjx

— Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) April 27, 2023

During the match, players from both sides were vying for the inaugural Paul Green Medal which was awarded to Sharks star Nicho Hynes who delivered a poignant tribute of his own for Green.

“It is an absolute honour to be able to receive this award for the first time,” Hynes said after receiving the award.

“Paul Green was an integral part of this club, player No.290. To the family and all the friends who have played a part in Paul’s life, thank you so much for coming down.

“It is a crazy feeling right now, because I know how much he means to everyone here. Thanks to our boys for putting in such a good performance.

“Everyone, make sure we all check in on each other because you never know what is going on.”

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