PERTH, WA – Queensland coach Billy Slater has apologised after referencing the tragic death of former Maroons mentor Paul Green in a heated response to criticism from ex-Blues prop Aaron Woods.
The incident has engulfed the build-up to Wednesday’s State of Origin Game II, drawing widespread attention to the sport’s culture, mental health discourse, and media responsibility.
The Trigger: Woods Calls Slater a “Grub”
The controversy erupted when retired New South Wales forward Aaron Woods criticised Slater on Triple M last week.
Woods labeled Slater a “grub,” citing his 2006 suspension for kicking Wests Tigers player John Skandalis. He also questioned the decision to drop Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans following the Game 1 loss, saying:
“Billy’s turned on his skipper… There’s a lot of pressure on him.”
Woods later defended the remarks as part of the “banter” that fuels Origin, clarifying that his jabs were aimed at Slater’s on-field persona, not his character.
Slater’s Emotional Response
Speaking to media on Tuesday ahead of Origin II, Slater launched into a passionate defence.
- On media conduct, he said:
“When your words reach millions, you’re not just talking at the pub. If you degrade someone personally, you don’t deserve that platform.”
His comments reached a dramatic crescendo with a pointed reference to the suicide of Paul Green:
“You don’t know what people are going through… I might handle it, but maybe the next person can’t. Maybe our last coach didn’t.”
The remarks drew applause from the Perth audience but also immediate and intense backlash across the rugby league community.
Public Outcry and Slater’s Apology
Slater’s invocation of Green’s death sparked criticism from fans and media figures alike:
- Andrew Voss (SEN): “Slater went too far. Don’t bring others into your defence.”
- Laurie Daley highlighted hypocrisy, pointing out how The Courier Mail had recently labelled NSW’s Spencer Leniu a “grub.”
- The incident resurfaced Slater’s 2010 taunt toward Knights player Cory Paterson — “Go have a cry in your room” — during Paterson’s battle with depression.
By Wednesday morning, Slater publicly apologised:
“I made an inappropriate link between Paul Green’s death and coaching pressure. That was neither correct nor fair. Paul had CTE — a different issue. I’ve spoken with Amanda Green and offered my sincere apology.”
Woods’ Reaction and the Broader Response
Woods maintained his stance on Slater’s coaching decisions but criticised the reference to Green:
“Billy’s clearly under pressure… but dragging Paul Green into this was too much.”
The rugby league world remains divided:
| Voices Supporting Slater | Criticism Directed at Slater |
|---|---|
| Cameron Munster: “The comments hurt. We support Billy.” | Beau Ryan: “It went dark… Billy gave up the high ground.” |
| Gorden Tallis: “This is a wake-up call on media conduct.” | Matthew Johns: “Woods was clearly engaging in banter.” |
| Braith Anasta: “Billy’s mental health message is valid.” | Fans: “Hypocritical stance from the Maroons.” |
Deeper Issues at Play
This clash highlights long-standing tensions in rugby league culture:
- The Use of “Grub”: Common in NRL commentary, the term was recently used by Queensland media against a Blues player — a double standard critics were quick to point out.
- Green’s Health: Paul Green was found to have CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to head trauma, adding complexity to Slater’s comments.
- Coaching Pressure: With Queensland having lost Game 1 and facing a must-win in Perth, Slater’s future as coach is under scrutiny.
A Game Played Under a Cloud
As the Maroons and Blues take the field for a crucial Origin II showdown, the off-field drama remains at the centre of public discussion.
Slater’s apology may have eased some tensions, but with Woods standing firm, the fallout from “grubgate” is far from over.
For Green’s family and the wider mental health community, it’s a sobering reminder of the sensitivity required when addressing such topics — especially in the emotionally charged arena of professional sport.
