EXCLUSIVE: How Paul Green was ‘an emotional wreck’ at his mate cricket legend Andrew Symonds’ – as one decision he made shows he was planning for the future before his death
- Paul Green’s sudden death on Thursday stunned the rugby league community
- A source has confirmed Green was ‘financially set up, he had just bought a boat’
- Green also told ex-Sharks teammate Mat Rogers about his new water purchase
- Premiership-winning coach was emotional wreck’ at Andrew Symonds’ funeral
- Sporting pair bonded over their mutual love of cricket, rugby league and fishing
- If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Rugby league legend Paul Green was an ’emotional wreck’ at the funeral of his close mate Andrew Symonds.
Symonds was laid to rest at Townsville’s Riverway Stadium in late May after he died aged just 46 in a car accident outside Townsville in northern Queensland.
The star halfback and premiership-winning coach was extremely close with the Australian cricket great, and his death left him ‘a broken man’, a source close to Green told Daily Mail Australia.
Green broke down in tears at the funeral, and when his son saw how distressed he was, he started crying too.
Green’s family and friends remain in shock by his decision to end his own life, as the player was financially secure and had even bought himself an expensive boat.
‘But he was still on the hunt for a coaching role – he had not yet committed to the Dolphins and was still sounding out the Gold Coast Titans,’ the source said.
Footy legend Paul Green was an ’emotional wreck’ at the funeral of close friend Andrew Symonds in May, a source close to him has told Daily Mail Australia (Green is pictured at the service for Symonds)
Green’s friendship with Symonds was forged over a mutual love of cricket, rugby league and fishing
Both men’s social media photos feature numerous pictures of their prized catches (pictured)
Queensland Police were called to Green’s family home in Wynnum, in Brisbane’s east, just after 10am on Thursday after he was found unresponsive in his garage.
A police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that Green, 49, was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
‘He was declared deceased by emergency crews a short time later,’ she said. ‘There are no suspicious circumstances. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.’
It has since been confirmed Green took his own life, and he leaves behind his wife Amanda and their children, Jed and Emerson.
Green’s friendship with Symonds was forged over a mutual love of cricket, rugby league and fishing.
Both men’s social media photos feature numerous pictures of their prized catches.
Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates with coach Paul Green after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final
Former Sharks teammate Mat Rogers – who was with Green last weekend in Sydney – labelled his friend an ‘incredible competitor who never took a backward step’
Green also told Rogers he had purchased a new boat and the dual international said he ‘was looking forward to going for a ride’
Green’s sudden passing has shocked many in rugby league circles, including former Cronulla teammates Andrew Ettingshausen and Mat Rogers.
‘ET’ posted a moving tribute on Facebook, where he stated he was ‘lost for words’ at the tragic news and that Green will ‘never be forgotten.’
It was a sentiment echoed by Rogers.
The pair were in Sydney last weekend, playing a round of golf on Friday before attending a past players reunion at Shark Park 24 hours later, where Craig Fitzgibbons’ side beat St George Illawarra in the derby.
‘We spent some time together, he (Green) was telling me about the new boat he’d just bought for the family and I was looking forward to going for a ride,’ a shattered Rogers said.
‘I can’t believe he’s gone…it makes me appreciate that time I got to spend with him.’
Rogers labelled Green, 49, an ‘incredible competitor who never took a backward step’.
He often sounded out the premiership-winning coach with the Cowboys for advice after recently establishing his own player management business.
For help in a crisis, call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.