Raging Bull
by Gorden Tallis (with Mike Coleman)

Wayne Bennett: "I've seen Gorden Tallis do so many big things on the field. He scores tries that no one else can score. And he does those things at the right time. He's the sort of player who can go into cruise control but can also sense the moment. He picks up on the urgency of the situation and he'll do what others can't." Published by Pan Macmillan Australia ISBN 0 7329 1185 0 268 pages (including 14 pages of colour photos)

'Raging Bull' pulls no punches as Gorden Tallis recounts his successful and colourful career and how he became the most feared man in rugby league. It is also a story about his passion for the game he loves, and his pride in representing his club, his state and his country.

The game of rugby league should be thankful that it has Gorden Tallis. In era when players have become more stereotyped - both on and of the field - the Gorden Tallis persona stands out like a beacon. Sometimes because of it, Tallis is criticized by the media and fans for his actions and comments. But what a boring world of sport it would be without the characters that openly show their emotion, and who can back it up with on-field action.

'Raging Bull' explores the drama charged career of Gorden Tallis - mostly from Tallis' viewpoint, but it also includes the thoughts and recollections of others. There are the the insights of coaches Wayne Bennett and Rod Reddy. There also the views of Geoff Carr, Bill Harrigan and Brian Smith who at various times have been at odds with Tallis.

In his book Tallis recounts his rise from a quiet kid in Townsville to captaining the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia. He takes us back to his early years at St George where he was a dynamic interchange player forging his presence. The arrival of Super League saw Tallis sit out a whole season as a matter of principle - for a young man it was a hard and brave path to take.

For Tallis' career the challenges have come thick and fast ever since - making for a book full of interest and insight. No seasons in Tallis' career went past without some headlines, controversy, exceptional play or crisis. Gorden openly and honestly talks about them all.

His biggest challenge came in 2001 when he suffered a career-ending injury to his neck. Tallis' determined fight against the realisation his football career was finished is one of the most revealing pieces in the book. It shows how determined a man must be to remain at the top of rugby league - even if you have been told by the doctors to give it away.

Gorden says in this book that when he plays for Australia or Queensland he wants to perform so well that boys will say they want to be like Gorden Tallis. His deeds on the field have proven he has lived up to that goal.

In 'Raging Bull' he provided an equally important tool for the next generation of players who want to be like Gorden Tallis - it shows them what it takes to get to the top in the game of rugby league.

'Raging Bull' by Gorden Tallis
ISBN 0 7329 1185 0 - Pan Macmillan Australia

Product Review © Sean Fagan / RL1908

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