Few rugby league players were more notorious than John Elias. The menacing forward not only intimidated his opponents on the paddock; he also led a double life as a career criminal and stand-over man.
Starting in the driver's seat of a stolen Holden at age 14, Elias's crimes grew more brazen as his football CV expanded to include over a dozen clubs. Illegal bookmaking rings, fire-arms trading, shootings, brothels, seedy card dens and the biggest match-fixing scandal in the game's recent history were all part of his off-field routine that eventually culminated in three prison sentences.
Loved by high-profile friends such as Wayne Bennett, Alan Jones, John Ibrahim and John Singleton and loathed by his enemies, John Elias now owns one of the most colourful stories in Australian sport - a roller-coaster ride from the ecstasy of grand final glory to the depths of a maximum security jail cell.
Sin Bin is John's incredible tale. You'll never look at John Elias, or rugby league, the same way again.
Hidden Agendas
John Elias was the Pied Piper of River-wood and Punchbowl who pawned kids with drug problems to rob banks for him and his weird friends to gain advantage by deception. The Lord reveals the truth. Ask him to write a story about that part of his life.
Guest, 18/05/2011
Sinbin - The John Elias Story
A great manual on life for any young sportsman.
Guest, 24/09/2010
The Truth Be Known
Truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but, in the end, there it is. "Sir Winston Churchill"
I'm Blown away, What an Awesome read!
Bless Ya John!
Guest, 25/08/2010
Sin Bin
Highly recommend this book - I found this book very inspiring. And although the truth may hurt for some, in the end it is the truth. John, you're a good man for coming out with this book and I would recommend it for anyone to read who has had a struggle in their life or going through a tough time. Whoever wants to criticise the book, obviously can not face the actual facts and real events. Good on ya' John.
Guest, 25/08/2010
Sin Bin: The Untold Story of a True Footy Hitman by John Elias.
A fantastic read - absolutely loved it. From the very beginning I was drawn in. The author's authenticity cannot be questioned - he is obviously aware of his own weaknesses. Sin Bin not only takes you on a journey of what it like to be a famous "easily influenced" footballer, but also what its like to be an Australian immigrant with little direction. Highly recommend.
Guest, 20/08/2010
Awesome
I found this book very inspiring and interesting! I believe all the content is true, because stuff like that does happen. I recommend it for anyone interested in rugby league to have a read of it. Good on ya, John.
Guest, 20/08/2010
Sin Bin
Unfortunately the truth hurts. Luckily there was a lot left out that could have been printed. It's been a best seller, I definitely recommend for all to read.
Guest, 19/08/2010
Sin Bin, the Untold Story of a True Footy Hitman
No true story has been told here when it comes to relatives and his association with them. It is very one sided and he should be sued for writing such rubbish - the only truth is what John believes to be the truth because what he wrote about is all lies. Extremely disappointed that he would firstly talk about his relatives who have passed on and also to speak about those still alive and describe his upbringing in what I can only say is a whole lot of rubbish. Had I known what the content of this book was going to be about I wouldn't have wasted my money on this book.
Guest, 10/08/2010
