The Panthers were devastated when rising sensation Ben Alexander was tragically died in a car accident on June 21, 1992, less than a year after the club’s first premiership.
Even though Greg was his older brother, 20-year-old Alexander was still a talented player in his own right. By the time the 1992 season’s halfway point came around, he had played in 36 games for the team.
After the Panthers’ 23-10 victory against Easts on June 21, 1992, a banquet was held at the club to give the players their championship blazers from the previous season.
A week before the Easts game, Ben Alexander had been demoted to reserve grade and was not
A week before the Easts game, Ben Alexander had been demoted to reserve grade and was not eager to attend the event. Ben was sadly slain at Colyton while traveling to a nearby nightlife with several friends.
After learning of the accident over the phone, Don Feltis, the then-CEO, hurried to the scene along with Greg Alexander, Mark Geyer, and other witnesses.
Following the tragedy, Feltis gave a moving press conference when word got out in the community.
Feltis remarked, “He had a wonderful future mapped out at Penrith.”
Ben Alexander’s passing devastated the Penrith club, the community, his teammates, and the Alexander family. When viewed through the lens of history, the club would not fully recover from the sad events of June 21, 1992, for almost ten years.
“Penrith came to a virtual standstill yesterday as thousands flocked to St Nicholas Church to bid farewell to Ben Alexander,” the Weekender’s June 26 issue stated. For the Requiem Mass, about 700 people squeezed into St. Nicholas, while an estimated 4,000 more poured out onto High Street to hear the mass over loud speakers.
According to The Weekender, Joe Zarb, Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander, and Ron Mulock all offered heartfelt eulogies for Ben.
The 20-year-old was honored with a 13-minute tribute by local radio station 2KA.
The Panthers defeated Western Suburbs the weekend following Ben’s accident.
“You remember some wins more than others, but if you win today you will remember it for the rest of your life,” is said to have been said by John Cartwright to his teammates as they took the field that particular day.
Every year at this time, we reflect on the brief life of Ben Alexander and the tragic night in 1992 that ended it.
The Penrith Panthers’ history will never, ever forget his name.
In an interview with the Weekender’s On The Record podcast, Mark Geyer discussed letting the community know about Ben’s loss and how it has affected them.
Geyer remarked, “It just rocked us to the core.”
Each person handled the loss in a unique way. My goal was to just avoid playing football; at the time, it was the furthest thing from my thoughts.
“What the family went through is something you wouldn’t want to wish on your own worst enemy.”
Speaking on On The Record as well, Greg Alexander expressed his happiness that Ben’s name continues to be associated with the team through the Rookie of the Year Award.
He stated, “I present that award every year, and it’s always a highlight of mine to do so and to know that the club will always remember Ben.”
“Playing with Ben was a unique experience, and the club’s ability to make that happen was greatly appreciated by the family.”
The Weekender’s managing editor and breaking news reporter is Troy Dodds. He has worked for some of Australia’s top media outlets for more than 20 years as a journalist. At the 2023 Mumbrella Publish Awards, he received the Editor of the Year award.