Canberra Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh has recently engaged in discussions with multiple NRL teams as his contract with the Raiders, which runs until the end of 2027, permits him to explore opportunities with other clubs starting from 2025. This comes as interest in the 26-year-old player rises, particularly after his impressive performances in the reserve-grade league following a challenging season plagued by injuries and suspensions.
Horsburgh, who debuted for Queensland last year and has only featured in two NRL games this season, has met with Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters and is scheduled to have a follow-up discussion with Wests Tigers in the near future. His manager, Jeff Jurotte, confirmed that while there were positive talks with the Broncos, including a tour of the club’s facilities and a meeting with club powerbrokers, no decisions have been made due to the team’s ongoing salary-cap issues.
Horsburgh, a native of Caboolture near Brisbane and a former Redcliffe junior, has a strong connection with Broncos lock Pat Carrigan. The two are good friends, and Horsburgh has previously used the Broncos’ facilities while training for State of Origin. This connection adds to the appeal of potentially joining the Broncos, though the team is currently focused on finalizing a significant contract extension for Reece Walsh and managing contracts for key players like Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo, which complicates their salary cap situation.
In addition to the Broncos, Horsburgh has garnered interest from the Wests Tigers. Jurotte noted that Tigers coach Benji Marshall and CEO Shane Richardson have expressed their interest in Horsburgh. A meeting with the Tigers is anticipated soon, but scheduling has been a challenge.
Other clubs have also shown interest. The Canterbury Bulldogs were initially a contender but have since been ruled out following their signings of Tom Amone and Sitili Tupouniua and their focus on upgrading their squad. Similarly, the St George Illawarra Dragons have expressed interest but are still exploring their options.
Despite the growing interest from other clubs, there is still a possibility for Horsburgh to remain with the Raiders. Jurotte has discussed this with Raiders CEO Don Furner and coach Ricky Stuart. Horsburgh’s recent performances in reserve grade, where he has been standout, alongside his improved fitness—having lost six kilos and training intensely—indicate that he is in excellent form and ready to make a significant impact, whether he stays with the Raiders or joins another team.
