Images of Rugby League - 1965-1995

'Go the Flo!'

I was informed during a meeting with North Sydney rugby league great Greg Florimo, at the North Sydney Leagues Club yesterday, to try out the Chilli crab. He said it would be an experience... He said it would be fun... He said!

Well, it was! 'The Flo' was correct - what a beautiful meal despite the wrestling tactics required to consume said crab.

Myself, 'Flo' and the Daily Telegraph's Ben Horne are working on a very special project for next year - stand by, it's going to be something very special for the North Sydney Bears, the Perth Bears, and all fans of rugby league.

More news to come soon.

I once again spent a fantastic day with Greg Hartley, aka 'Hollywood' as we continued our work recording interviews on all aspects of his life for his upcoming illustrated autobiography 'The World According to 'Hollywood' - The Rugby League Life of Greg 'Hollywood' Hartley'.

The stories he has told me, in intricate detail (many of which he has never shared), are, at times, absolutely hilarious; some are terribly heart-breaking, while others just make you wish you had been in his shoes throughout the golden era of rugby league during the '60s. '70s, '80s and '90s.

However, Greg (like his great mate Jim Hall ) certainly puts you in the picture and tells the stories with such excitement and passion you can almost see the situation unfolding without ever witnessing them yourself... he is that good at telling a good story about his tough upbringing and time as a referee and in broadcasting.

But there is so much more to Greg...

We also enjoyed time at the river (his back yard) with his beautiful pooch, and shared a bottle of red wine or two throughout the course of the day.

I am sure Greg's book will be a publication every fan of rugby league will want to read - I know I have been mesmerised by his life story, and in particular, his time in rugby league, and I am proud that Full Throttle Publishing is publishing his autobiography for the entire rugby league world to enjoy.

Tony Loxley
Full Throttle Publishing

The World According to Hollywood!

In publishing, you take a risk.

You win some, and you lose some - but you always hope to break even at the very least.

Not many realise the heavy costs incurred before you even sell a book as just about EVERYTHING has to be paid up front...
Still, that's the way it is.

Sponsors help enormously too, of course, but there are too few these days; motorsport is a struggle, rugby league is a far better scenario, thankfully.

Having said that, one book we have currently committed to - and I can't wait to get this one rolling (and we have started already) is a book on the legendary rugby league referee, Greg Hartley - or, as he was known by generations, 'Hollywood'.

This production has been ongoing now for a few months, and with Greg's open-armed support.

Listening to Greg tell his story is one of the great moments of my life; and I couldn't ask for a better host, too.

It was an honour to have Greg at Jim Hall 's recent book launch, and everyone who has heard about this upcoming publication is looking forward to it.

His story is truly remarkable; his life has had its ups and downs, but it is his life in rugby league that makes this illustrated autobiography so special.

Then, of course, is his career in the media, which as you would expect, centres around his football match calling on radio as part of the legendary 'Hollywood and Zorba' duo that ruled the airwaves for nearly two decades.

The images and memorabilia within this publication are fantastic, and complement the book perfectly.

We will have more news soon on the book's release, but I can tell you this, like Jim Hall's 'From Fullback to the Front Row' it will certainly be worth reading!

Tony Loxley
Full Throttle Publishing

Jim Hall's Book Launch Latest:

Just home, and received the news that we have close to, wait for it, 250 people coming to Souths Jnrs Leagues Club on Thursday February 5th (11.30 start) to celebrate Full Throttle Publishing's release of the fabulous Jim Hall autobiography 'From Fullback to the Front Row'.

A who's who of sport, rugby league, media and the legal world will be in attendance; Bob McCarthy, the great South Sydney legend Henry Morris, Les Johns, Dennis Tutty, Paul Cross, Alan Fallah, the legendary race caller Ken Callender, speedway historian and Telegraph journo Dennis Newlyn, Peter Wynn, Craig Coleman, Royce Ayliffe, Jockey Kevin Moses, Wallabies great Enrique Topo Rodriguez , Ian Schubert (Wests and Easts legend), Greg Woods KC, Peter Peters aka 'Zorba', Greg 'Hollywood' Hartley and David Trodden of the NSWRL.

And that's just the start!

The event is hosted by Canterbury-Bankstown great, and Talkin' Sport radio host, Graeme Hughes.

For me, it's a vindication of all of Jim's great work/hard work, for the NSW Police, the legal world, the Men of League Foundation, the NRL and Super League Judiciary, and much, much more.

If you are a footy fan, and want a copy of this fantastic autobiography, we will have copies of Jim's book available on the day.

Can't wait to see you all...

Tony Anthony Loxley
Full Throttle Publishing

With Full Throttle Publishing's Jim Hall book 'From Fullback to the Front Row' soon to be released nation-wide, it was off to meet up with the great Parramatta Eels second rower, Peter Wynn to showcase Jim's new book at his iconic shop, Peter Wynn's Score in Parramatta.

Peter was blown away with the quality and content, and agrees with me that this book will be a cracking read.

Jim Hall (also pictured with his new book), in my opinion, and in the opinion of everyone in the world of rugby league, deserves this opportunity to tell his remarkable life story; his story covers his early days growing up fishing for his families dinner; joining the NSW Police; his time in theArmed Hold-up and Drug Squad; playing top level rugby league for Penrith, Canterbury, Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney, the world of law, the Super League and NRL judiciary, and the creation of the Men of League organisation.

Phew! What a career!

With a Foreword by Canterbury Bankstown great Graeme Hughes, a Preface by Greg Woods KC and a Afterword by David Trodden of the NSWRL, this fabulous memoir has it all - and you will laugh out loud, too... Jimmy is a great story teller.

To order the book just go to:

fullthrottlepublishing.com.au

It's a book you won't forget in a hurry...

Tony Loxley
Full Throttle Publishing Pty Ltd

Well, Jimmy Hall's book 'From Fullback to the Front Row' has gone to the printers, and now our artist Danny Bourke has started on our epic Country Rugby League book, 'Playing for Tin Cups'.

This 300-page book, researched and written by A, J. Murdoch, is a treasure-trove of information, photos, emblems, magazine articles and results; in fact, it is a publication all fans of rugby league will adore, but for the country rugby league teams and fans, this book is somewhat of a Godsend.

The information A. J. has put together is incredible, it truly is. A big thanks to prolific author Alan Whiticker for his incredible work on editing this book - it took some work, but between Alan, A. J. and Full Throttle Publishing, we will have a book that is sure to be a sell-out.

The book will be available to pre-order next week via Full Throttle Publishing's website.

More news and a few sample lay-out coming to you soon.

Tony Anthony Loxley
Full Throttle Publishing