SYDNEY (Azat TV) – The National Rugby League (NRL) community is in mourning following the death of Chris Phelan, a dual-premiership winner with the Parramatta Eels, who passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The club confirmed the news on Tuesday, marking the first time a member of the Eels’ iconic 1980s golden era squad has died.
Honoring a Premiership Legacy
Phelan, an Irish-born forward who moved to Australia as a child, became a central figure in the Eels’ dominant run during the early 1980s. After joining Parramatta in 1982, he played an integral role in the club’s back-to-back premiership victories in 1982 and 1983. Known for his intense physicality and work ethic, Phelan recorded 53 first-grade games for the Eels before continuing his career in the United Kingdom and later returning to Queensland to secure another premiership with the Souths Magpies in 1985 under coach Wayne Bennett.
A Career Defined by Toughness
Beyond his club achievements, Phelan was a notable contributor to the formative years of the State of Origin series, representing Queensland in 1981 and 1984. Former teammates have described him as one of the toughest players of his generation. Peter Wynn, a fellow Eels legend, noted that Phelan was a standout trainer and a forward whose speed and power were fundamental to the team’s historic success under legendary coach Jack Gibson.
Memorial Plans for the Eels
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, the Parramatta Eels announced that players will wear black armbands during their upcoming match against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville this Friday night. The gesture serves as a public tribute to the man known as “Forever Eel #405,” whose career spanned from his early days in the Townsville rugby league scene to the highest levels of the professional game.
Phelan’s passing represents a significant generational shift for the Parramatta Eels, as the club loses a foundational member of its most successful era, highlighting the long-term impact these athletes have on the cultural identity of Australian rugby league clubs.