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"My heart breaks for Billy": Green's wife defends Slater
SEN • June 20th, 2025 11:15 am
In the wake of her husband’s name bring dragged into “grubgate”, Paul Green’s widow Amanda has spoken out in defence of Billy Slater.
On the eve of State of Origin Game 2 this week, the Maroons coach was forced to make a public apology after alluding to Green when discussing mental health and the pressures of coaching.
Slater had been called a grub by Aaron Woods and when trying to explain that derogatory terms can impact people differently, he alluded to Queensland’s “last coach”.
Green took his own life in 2022 but his death was linked to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Amanda Green has now spoken out in praise of Slater and to raise awareness of the brain disease.
“I would like to say how very courageous it was of Billy to call me, completely unprompted, yesterday,” she told News Corp.
“My heart breaks for Billy Slater as a partner of someone who has been in his position.
“I completely understand the pressures of the role.
“It shows a lot about his true character and what a fine role model he is for young men. I commend and admire him for that.”
Green, who now serves as an ambassador for the Australian Sports Brain Bank, said it is important that Australia continues to discuss the symptoms and impact of CTE.
“Paul was diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE. Severe CTE. He was living with a very advanced brain disease,” she said.
“CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. CTE is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries.
“I now have a responsibility to use my voice to help others, to help those who have lost loved ones.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
