Sadly, last August the rugby league world was stunned when it emerged Paul Green had been found dead, aged 49.
Now at this first opportunity to celebrate his life and career, two of Green’s former clubs have come together to honour the legacy of a high achieving and popular player and coach.
The Sharks and Cowboys have agreed that whenever they meet, the best player as adjudged by the winning coach will receive the Paul Green Medal, an award recognising a man who made a significant impact at both clubs.
This Thursday night Paul’s wife Amanda, his children Emerson and Jed, extended family and many friends, in addition to Sharks and Cowboys fans, will be on hand at PointsBet Stadium to pay their respects.
Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta and his Cowboys counterpart Jeff Reibel quickly put the wheels into motion around the concept and the Paul Green Medal match was created.
''When we 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.
"Our coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his assistant Josh Hannay were deeply connected to Paul through previously working with him, and personally with the Green, which gives us great confidence that the players will appreciate how special winning the Paul Green Medal will be.''
While the Paul Green Medal is predominantly in remembering the life and rugby league career of a man who made a lasting impression on the game of rugby league, most specifically at Thursday night’s two competing clubs, the game will also be about the continued research around brain injury, with the Sharks to make a $5,000 donation to the Australian Sports Brain Bank to assist with that research.
The Cowboys will reciprocate in matching the Sharks donation when the teams meet again in Townsville in round 25.
The clubs received Amanda's blessing for the Paul Green Medal match, with the family graciously accepting the gesture.
"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 Green told the Daily Telegraph when the idea of the Medal was suggested.
"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.''
Shark #290, Paul Green played 95 games in the black, white and blue and while at the Cronulla club in 1995 was the recipient of the Rothman’s Medal, a prestigious award voted on by the referees and presented to the season’s best player.
Green would play nine matches for Queensland and two Super League Tests for Australia, while also representing the Cowboys, Roosters, Eels and Broncos in the NRL.
Green’s daughter Emerson will lead the Sharks on to the field on Thursday and his son Jed will lead the Cowboys on to the field.
He would make a successful transition into coaching, leading the Cowboys to a Grand Final win in 2015, with Green also the Queensland coach for the 2021 Origin series.
Amanda, Emerson and Jed Green will present the Medal to the winning player, with celebrations and activations planned around the inaugural Paul Green Medal match, scheduled for a 7.50pm kick off at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday.
To find out more about the research work of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, or to make a donation, go to the following link. https://www.brainbank.org.au/
