Paul Green's family on hand as Sharks, Cowboys honour memory of late great
The wife of late NRL coach Paul Green says she holds nothing against rugby league despite her husband's brain condition.
On Thursday night the family returned to Shark Park to watch Cronulla take on North Queensland.
Green played for both clubs throughout his career, and later coached the Cowboys who he led to the 2015 premiership.
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He was honoured before kick-off with a minute's applause, and wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed were in the stands.
Green was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after he took his own life last August at the age of 49.
Paul Green's family, wife Amanda with children Emerson and Jed. Nine
His family donated his brain to science following the tragedy, and it was confirmed the former representative playmaker suffered from a degenerative condition being found in more and more former footballers.
"It was such a shock, it was so left-field," Green's wife Amanda told 9News of the discovery.
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"But I suppose now we understand Paul had a terminal brain disease, we just didn't know it at the time.
"Now we know it's such a scary disease that we need to keep researching and understanding."
Amanda holds no ill feeling towards the game to which her husband dedicated his life.
"No, definitely not anger," she said.
"The game gave not only Paul, but the kids and I so many wonderful memories that we will cherish forever."
Amanda, Emerson, and Jed are still coming to grips with his sudden death.
"We talk about him a lot, we laugh and remember the good times," Amanda said.
"He will be forever in our lives and in our memories."
The player of the match from Thursday's game, Nicho Hynes, was awarded the Paul Green Medal.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Paul Green's life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach
Paul Green's life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach
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