Cowboys and Sharks primed for inaugural Paul Green Medal match
Plenty will be on the line during Thursday night’s NRL match between the Cowboys and the Sharks, but the introduction of the Paul Green Medal has given the teams something else to push for. Here’s how it will work.
Plenty will be on the line during Thursday night’s 2022 qualifying final rematch between the Cowboys and the Sharks, but the introduction of the Paul Green Medal has provided extra sentiment to the occasion.
Green was found dead in August 2022, with the news rocking the NRL community. His death sparked an emotional outpouring of grief flowing for the former Queensland and Australian representative.
Thursday night will be the inaugural Paul Green Medal match, with the winning coach selecting his man of the match to receive the honour.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten described it as a great initiative ahead of his side’s vital clash.
“Paul (Green) was a strong presence at both of our clubs, obviously coaching and playing here and playing down there, so I think it’s great for his family and I think it’s great for both clubs that we’ve come out and we’re doing this,” Payten said.
“Both teams will have that little added motivation, but where we’re sitting on the competition ladder should be enough motivation for this team to fight hard.”
The recipient of the medal will be the sole Paul Green Medallist for 16 weeks, until the two teams face again in Townsville in round 25.
“Paul strove for excellence every day of his life – to have a medal named in his honour to be presented to the best player on the field each time our club and the Sharks meet is a fitting legacy,” Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said.
It will be a poignant moment when Green’s son Jed and daughter Emerson lead the Cowboys and Sharks onto the field, respectively.
Both teams are set to make $5,000 donations to the Australian Sports Brain Bank – the country’s only brain bank dedicated to concussion and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) research.
Cowboys player No. 92, affectionately known as ‘Greeny’, took on the coaching role in 2014 and led North Queensland to its first and only NRL premiership the following year.
His partner Amanda Green said she was right behind the idea of honouring Green with a perpetual award.
More Coverage
“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 said.
“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.’’
Originally published as Cowboys and Sharks primed for inaugural Paul Green Medal match
Born to coach: Wayne praises Benji as Tigers rise continues
Walsh on wheels: Broncos star debuts medical scooter at training
Operation Reynolds: Inside the Tigers’ failed $1.5m halfback heist
How every NRL NT club is shaping up for the 2026 season
Manly, Foran in ‘no rush’ to lock in long-term deal despite turnaround
