The Bug briefs

BRISBANE: Gorden Tallis of the Brisbane Broncos has admitted candidly that he was very lucky to cop only a three-weeks suspension for crashing his elbow into the side of an opponent's face in a bid to smash his jaw, teeth and eye sockets during a recent NRL match. "To be honest, I thought the guy had spun right around in the tackle," the tough-talking forward said. "I really thought I was ramming my elbow right up his arse."

HOBART: Teenage swim sensation Ian Thorpe has disclosed how he kept himself motivated to overcome total physical and mental exhaustion to take a clean sweep of the 100m to 800m freestyle events at the recent national championships here. "During each final, I just kept imagining that John Hopoate was right behind me," said the Thorpedo, effectively hosing down certain widespread rumours in the process.

SYDNEY: The NRL has rejected a suggestion from former player John Hopoate that the slogan for this year's State of Origin series be Mate against Date.

BRISBANE: Brisbane Broncos' Wendell Sailor has broken down and cried uncontrollably at an extraordinary press conference held here overnight. "It's been more than three weeks and John hasn't called or anything," the international winger sobbed before being consoled by coach Wayne Bennett.