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Future Canberra star scores double! | 00:54
Keen to put a horrible 2024 season behind him, Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh has been impressing teammates and coaches as he looks to earn back a regular first grade spot.
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Horsburgh is in the shape of his life, showing off a trimmed down physique during Raiders pre-season training.
The former Queensland rep had a season to forget in 2024, which included a falling out with coach Ricky Stuart, stubborn injuries and a lengthy suspension for his involvement in an ugly brawl in a NSW Cup game.
Late last season, the odds of Horsburgh returning to the Raiders at the end of 2024 were 1000/1 and drifting.
However, following a strong finish to the season in first grade from Horsburgh, he and Stuart mended fences, with the coach convincing Horsburgh to stay put. The 27-year-old is now keen to repay Stuart and the Raiders’ faith.
“Last year was a poor year by myself. My groins and pubis were playing up, obviously there were suspensions in there as well,” Horsburgh told Raiders media.
“I want to play first grade. I want to go back to having fun and enjoying myself. I didn’t really enjoy it last year with the circumstances I put myself under and I didn’t really want to do the hard stuff.
“I’ve changed my mentality around, worked hard, got my body right and now looking forward to playing some footy.”
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His hard work this off-season hasn’t gone unnoticed by teammates, with skipper Joe Tapine singing Horsburgh’s praises.
With veteran prop Josh Papali’i nearing the end of his career, foxsports.com.au asked Tapine which forward he is expecting to step up for the green machine this season and beyond.
“Corey Horsburgh,” Tapine answered.
“I’m really impressed with how Corey has been going this off-season.
“He’s fit as. Watching him train and training with him as been unreal. I’m excited to seeing how he goes this season.”
Stuart agrees with Tapine, even going as far to predict the Horsburgh will emulate his rep deeds of 2023 when he debuted for Queensland.
Corey Horsburgh is in the shape of his life according to Ricky Stuart. Here he is pictured at Raiders pre-season training.Source: FOX SPORTS“He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him, an injury-free off-season and he makes our football team so much better. I love coaching Red (Horsburgh),” Stuart said.
I personally think he’ll play Origin this year”
Rep talk aside, Tapine is just thankful that Horsburgh remained in the nation’s capital.
There was genuine interest in the fiery forward from the Dragons and Tigers, but Horsburgh has committed to stay in green until at least the end of the 2027 season.
“I’m grateful because he’s such a huge talent and losing him would have been hard for our club,” Tapine told foxsports.com.au.
“There was a lot of drama going on there but for him to put that aside is great. He’s putting his footy first and you can see the results of that at training.
It’s a competitive forwards room in Canberra but Horsburgh is being tipped to make the best 17 for the Raiders’ season opener against the Warriors in Las Vegas.
Papali’i and Tapine are expected to be the starting props. There is a small chance Horsburgh starts at lock, but it’s more than likely that he comes off the interchange bench to start the season.
