Hartley began his rugby league career as a player and had three first-grade games with Newtown Jets in 1967 before rupturing his spleen in a reserve-grade match in the same year. He underwent a number of surgeries, spent six months in hospital and retired as a player.[4]
In 1969 he became a referee in the Easts junior league and was graded in 1971. By 1975 he was officiating in the first-grade semi-finals. He was considered the game's top referee of the time, officiating in the 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 Grand Finals before retiring in 1982.
He became a football commentator on radio station 2GB and later 2KY, forming a partnership with former Manly player, Peter Peters, which was popularly known as The Decibel Duo[5] and Hollywood and Zorba.[6]
Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd, 609. ISBN978-1-877082-93-1.