Vale: Chris Phelan - Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are deeply saddened by the passing of Chris Phelan, a member of the club’s 1982 and 1983 Premiership-winning teams.
www.parraeels.com.auHere’s what’s publicly known about Chris Phelan, the Parramatta Eels premiership winner, and recent news.
- Chris Phelan, a former Eels forward, was part of Parramatta’s 1982 and 1983 premiership-winning teams and later played for other clubs before retiring. He is reported to have passed away in early May 2026 at around age 70, with the club publicly confirming his death and noting his status as a two-time Eels premiership winner.[1][3][7]
- In response to his passing, the Parramatta Eels announced that they would wear black armbands in tribute for their upcoming match, a gesture reflecting the club’s respect and recognition of Phelan’s contributions to the team’s golden era.[3][7][1]
- Coverage from multiple outlets around the date confirms the news, noting his State of Origin involvement for Queensland and his role in the early 1980s Eels era, while acknowledging the broader impact of his death across the rugby league community.[7][1]
If you’d like, I can pull together a brief, cited timeline of Phelan’s career highlights and the exact tributes planned by the Eels from the latest sources.