Jason Taumalolo says Paul Green’s death has ‘shocked and rattled’ the Cowboys

An emotional Jason Taumalolo has spoken of a difficult few days for the Cowboys after the death of Paul Green left the club ‘shocked and rattled’.

Green, the only man to deliver a premiership to North Queensland, was found dead at his home in Brisbane on Thursday, with news of his passing sending shockwaves through Australia.

Taumololo is the only Cowboys player remaining who featured in that famous 2015 side and the club captain opened up on his side’s emotions following their defeat by the Roosters on Saturday.  

‘It has been a big few days given what has happened, no real words really to express what has happened over the last few days,’ he said in the post-match press conference.

‘How it has affected people in the rugby league community, and families, I can’t imagine what Amanda and the kids are going through right now.

‘Everyone should have someone to talk to, regardless of how big or small the problem is, no one should have to carry around that pressure with them.

Club legend Paul Green was found dead at his home in Brisbane on Thursday morning

Green delivered the club’s first premiership, and Taumalolo was part of that great team

‘We have a tight-knit group and I know rugby league teams have their own little groups, I just hope that if anyone is going through something they have someone to talk to about any problems.’

Taumalolo added that it will ‘take some time to get over’ the devastation that has rocked everybody associated with the club. 

‘I think everyone copes with loss and grief differently and yeah, I am not sure about any of the other boys but everyone is affected differently,’

‘I’d like to think we are a tight-knit group and we are able to talk to each other whether we are going through a tough time or something really difficult.

Taumalolo says that Green’s death has ‘shocked and rattled the club’ on a difficult week

‘But again, I think just what has happened has really shocked and rattled most of us and it is going to take some time to get over it.’

Coach Todd Payten said: ‘The club and the league have been great with the resources they have provided us as a group.

‘It is my job to make sure that we keep an eye out for each other, that everyone feels comfortable that they can go and see me or someone within the club to get some help.’

Both teams wore black armbands to remember Green during the game. The Roosters ran out 32-18 winners at the Sydney Cricket Ground.