Wayne Bennett misses reunion for Chris Phelan funeral

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett will miss the 2006 premiership reunion to attend the funeral of Chris Phelan after his death aged 70.

Wayne Bennett will temporarily step away from South Sydney duties on Friday to attend the funeral of former prop Chris Phelan, with the loss of one of his favourite players forcing a difficult choice over a major team reunion.

The South Sydney coach will travel to Brisbane’s southside for the service after Phelan passed away earlier this month at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer.. Bennett has long spoken of his respect for the former Parramatta. Brisbane and Souths forward. crediting him as a significant reason the Magpies won the 1985 BRL grand final.

Bennett described how much he enjoyed coaching Chris Phelan. calling him an especially tough forward and highlighting that he won two premierships with Parramatta while also making a strong impression on players who loved playing alongside him.. For Bennett. Phelan’s influence is not just historical; it remains personal. which is why the funeral takes priority even with other commitments on the calendar.

The timing also creates a busy day for Bennett. who was scheduled to be involved in the 2006 Brisbane premiership reunion at the same time as Phelan’s funeral.. That gathering. coached by Bennett. was set to take place at Howard Smith Wharves. with the reunion offering another chance for him to reconnect with captain Darren Lockyer.

Lockyer and Bennett had previously fallen out during Bennett’s second stint as Brisbane coach. with tensions linked to Bennett’s sacking back in 2018.. Although Lockyer later suggested the relationship would improve over time. it was also clear that trust and closeness had been strained in a way that could not be simply switched off.

In recent remarks. Lockyer said they were not on great speaking terms. but added that they would eventually cross paths and “mend bridges.” He also reflected that their bond had shifted permanently because the events took time to play out. involving board-level decisions and clashes that became messy and distracting for the club.

Those comments underline why Bennett’s scheduling conflict is more than a logistical issue.. The reunion was shaped as a potential moment for repair. with Lockyer opening up about the fallout and Bennett keen to attend.. But speaking of the choice he faced. Bennett said he would have loved to go to the reunion. “but unfortunately I couldn’t do both. ” explaining that the funeral priority had to be given to the man he held in such high regard.

While Bennett is making the trip for Phelan’s farewell, South Sydney’s match commitments remain set. After returning from the funeral, he is expected back at Suncorp Stadium as the Rabbitohs prepare to play the Dolphins.

At the same time. the Broncos reunion for the 2006 premiership team will go ahead. again coached by Bennett. reflecting how one day can carry heavy emotional weight and major club milestones at once.. For Bennett. the decision captures the stark reality of leadership in sport: even high-profile events like reunions must sometimes take a back seat when family and friendships formed through the game demand immediate attention.

For those who knew Phelan as a player and those who learned from him after his playing days, the funeral is likely to be remembered as a final step in an enduring legacy—one that Bennett says has been central to his own memories of coaching and to the success he associates with the Magpies in 1985.

Wayne Bennett Chris Phelan funeral South Sydney Darren Lockyer Brisbane Broncos NRL reunion