Parramatta Eels Premiership Winner Chris Phelan Dies at 70
Parramatta Eels premiership winner Chris Phelan died aged 70 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the club said on Tuesday. The former Queensland State of Origin forward was part of Parramatta’s 1982 and 1983 title teams and played 53 games for the club from 1982 to 1984.
His death removes one of the last living links to Parramatta’s golden era. The Eels said his passing had been deeply felt by former teammates and the club, and they will wear black armbands against the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday night.
Parramatta and Queensland
Phelan was born in Ireland and later emigrated to Townsville, where his rugby league career widened beyond club football. He played four State of Origin games for Queensland and was part of the early seasons of that competition, adding to the reputation he built in the Queensland game before and after his Parramatta years.
He also reached another grand final with Parramatta in 1984, giving him three grand finals across his stint with the Eels. That run came after he had already won the 1981 premiership with Souths Magpies and collected the Rothmans Medal for player of the season that year.
Peter Wynn on Phelan
Former teammate Peter Wynn said Phelan’s place in the club was clear from the way he trained and played. “Chris was as tough as they come,” Wynn said. “He was a great trainer and player. He was as quick as any forward that's played the game and was a huge part of Parramatta's success in the 1980s.”
Wynn added that Phelan’s standing went beyond Parramatta. “Chris was always well respected by opposition players and played a big role during State of Origin's formative seasons,” he said. “Playing in three grand finals is pretty amazing. He was a great bloke, a great mate and he will be sadly missed.”
Souths Magpies Years
Phelan left Parramatta after the 1984 grand final and played for Oldham in England from 1984 to 1985 before winning another premiership with Souths Magpies in 1985. That title team included Mal Meninga and Gary Belcher, with Wayne Bennett as coach, a final chapter that matched the hard-running reputation he carried through his career.
For Parramatta supporters, the immediate sign of that loss will come on Friday night in Townsville, where the black armbands will mark his death and his place in the club’s history.
