It’s been a rough time for Corey Horsburgh since this win over the Broncos in April 2023. Photo: Raiders.
Having signalled his intentions to head elsewhere at the end of this season, Corey Horsburgh will struggle to win back a place in the Raiders’ run-on side.
That much is abundantly clear after he was left out of the 17-player squad for Saturday’s vital game against Manly.
This is despite season-ending injuries to Zac Hosking and Pasami Saulo, coupled with Corey Harawira-Naera’s continued absence.
It’s been a dramatic fall, to say the least, after playing origin for Queensland last season in the wake of impressive form for the Raiders in 2022-23.
Horsburgh played 22 games last season. He was fourth in the Meninga Medal count for the Raiders top player in 2023 and is a fan favourite.
That coincided with a move from second row to lock, in turn becoming one of the top 13s in the game.
It started to unravel, though, with a suspension that carried over from 2023 to the start of this season.
The knowledge that he wouldn’t take to the field in the first few rounds reportedly played on his mind during the pre-season.
Whatever the case, he was behind the eight-ball to start and he has struggled to return to the form displayed in 2023.
This season, he has played only two NRL games through suspension, injury and then another ban following a brawl in the NSW Cup.
The frustration from the Raiders is understandable given his obvious ability when fit and fully focused. The club wouldn’t have signed him until 2027 if they didn’t believe in him.
He was okay in the NSW Cup last weekend, but it simply wasn’t enough to convince Ricky Stuart.
Added to the mix is the request by Horsburgh’s manager this week to allow his client to test the market, seeking a potential release from his contract at the end of the season.
In the eyes of many, it signals the beginning of the end for Horsburgh at the Raiders.
The same could be said for Danny Levi, who has also been granted permission to hold talks with other clubs despite having another 12 months to go on his Canberra contract.
Danny Levi is another Raider testing the market. Photo: Liv Cameron.
Levi’s place in the Raiders squad of 17 this week has been taken by makeshift hooker Adam Cook.
Levi, instead, has been listed on the extended bench alongside Horsburgh, Emre Guler and Zac Woolford.
Woolford has seen little game time in the NRL this season. Earlier this year, he was linked with a move to the Dragons.
It would appear there is a cleanout of sorts underway, with Elliott Whitehead, Nick Cotric and James Schiller already heading to other clubs while there is uncertainty over Jordan Rapana.
To end on a positive note, this season has seen the emergence of Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes, who both provide insight into the future of the Raiders Club.
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