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Chris Phelan

  • Playing Career

Playing Career

All information provided below is based only on data available in the RLP database and should be used as a guide only.

Vital Statistics

Born
Monday, 12th December, 1955
Died
Tuesday, 5th May, 2026 (Aged 70 years and 144 days)
Place Of Birth
Leinster, Ireland

Known Family Links

Brother
Pat Phelan

Competitions Won

State of Origin
1984, 1981
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL)
1982, 1983

Biography

Immensely strong for his size, Townsville forward Chris Phelan was playing for Souths Brisbane when he first represented Queensland in 1981. Brisbane's Rothmans Medal winner that year Phelan signed with defending premiers P’matta in 1982 but had to sit out the start of the season while Queensland waged a battle with the Eels over his transfer fee. He was used as a prop in the Eels' two grand final wins over Manly in 1982-83 but moved to the second row in the 6-4 loss to C’bury in 1984. Phelan continued to play State of Origin football during this period before returning to his home state in 1985 after a season with Oldham in England.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
Representative Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Tour Matches Queensland FirstsQFI - 3 - 3 -1--1 - - - 4 - - - 2 1 - 66.67% List
State of Origin 2 2 - 2 ----- - - - - - - - 1 1 - 50.00% List
Interstate Series - 2 - 2 ----- - - - - - - - - 2 - 0.00% List
Club Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSWRFL/NSWRL (NRL Premiership) 2 34 19 53 23--5 - - - 18 - - - 38 15 - 71.70% List
NRL Finals - 7 3 10 ----- - - - - - - - 6 4 - 60.00% List
Midweek Cup - 8 1 9 ----- - - - - - - - 3 6 - 33.33% List
Club Career - UK   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
English Championship - 9 1 10 ----- - - - - - - - 6 3 1 60.00% List
Challenge Cup - 1 - 1 ----- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
UK Top Division - 9 1 10 ----- - - - - - - - 6 3 1 60.00% List
Overall   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
First Class  59 21 80 24--6 - - - 22 - - - 50 29 1 62.50% List

Australia - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Brisbane Firsts 1981   2 - 2 ----- - - - - - - - - 2 - 0.00% List
QLD 1981, 1984   2 - 2 ----- - - - - - - - 1 1 - 50.00% List
QLD Firsts 1981, 1983   5 - 5 -1--1 - - - 4 - - - 2 3 - 40.00% List

NSWRFL/NSWRL (NRL Premiership) - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
ParramattaParramatta 19821982 NSWRFL Winfield Cup   16 9 252---2 - - - 6 - - - 20 5 - 80.00% List
ParramattaParramatta 19831983 NSWRFL Winfield Cup   6 7 13-2--2 - - - 8 - - - 9 4 - 69.23% List
ParramattaParramatta 19841984 NSWRL Winfield Cup   12 3 15-1--1 - - - 4 - - - 9 6 - 60.00% List

NSWRFL/NSWRL (NRL Premiership) - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Parramatta 1982-84   34 19 53 23--5 - - - 18 - - - 38 15 - 71.70% List

English Career - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
OldhamOldham 1984/85   10 1 11----- - - - - - - - 6 4 1 54.55% List

English Career - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 4ST 3PT 4PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Oldham 1984   10 1 11 ----- - - - - - - - 6 4 1 54.55% List

Your Say

  • Anonymous
    11 Sep 2013 6:36pm

    used to go to school togeather at the brothers in townsville. was good mates. had a lotta laughs with paddy. was a tough bugger back then to. good on ya mate.

  • Michael
    8 Apr 2016 9:32pm

    Top Townsville player along with his late brother Pat. He was fit and strong and tough. Did Qld proud. Thanks for your service Chris.

  • Anonymous
    5 Jun 2019 7:23pm

    Incredibly honest player.He was used as a battering ram at Parra though he was a much much better player than that. I saw him last year at a reunion. He still looks powerful and a very humble guy. One of the best.

  • Anonymous
    1 Oct 2022 2:19am

    A decent man and a honest tough and hard working forward. Raised in a well regarded Townsville family of Irish descent .

  • Graz
    12 May 2023 11:44pm

    Top dude from Townsville; great footballer & even better bloke !!

  • Anonymous
    14 May 2023 3:55pm

    Too lad from Townsville High- great footballer & an even better bloke ! The real deal !!

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Contributions: Greg Fiveash, AJ Lucantonio, Andrew Ferguson, Shawn Dollin, Paul Carter, Rugby League Tables, Alan Katzmann, Bill Bates

Sources: Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club, Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook (1981-82 to 1999)