Raiders stars saved ‘Big Red’ from clutches of Broncos
Joel Gould |
Canberra cult hero Corey Horsburgh could easily be playing for finals opponents Brisbane if not for the support of two fellow senior forwards, club CEO Don Furner has revealed.
The Raiders host the Broncos in an NRL qualifying final on Sunday with middle forward Horsburgh a key figure in the minor premiers’ quest for a first title since 1994.
He has veteran props Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii to thank, both of whom have been huge supporters.
Just 12 months ago the man known as “Big Red” was on the outer with coach Ricky Stuart and investigating a release.
Horsburgh met former Brisbane coach Kevin Walters for contract talks and toured the Broncos’ Red Hill base on August 21 of last year. Three days later he was recalled by Stuart for his first match in 20 weeks.
The 27-year-old has missed just one game since, due to concussion, and repaired his relationship with the coach.
This season Horsburgh has blown away several personal bests. He has the most tackle busts (41), offloads (31) and average run metres (132) of his career while maintaining his excellent defensive clout.
“Taps and Josh were always very big supporters of Red,” Furner told AAP.
“When he was going through that tough period they were always sticking up for him, pushing him and telling us to keep him and give him another chance. Now he’s a real blazer on the field.
“Corey is a really good story. It has been an amazing turnaround.
“He is emotional but in any workplace, whether it’s a rock band or a bank, there are clashes. (Stuart and Horsburgh) have worked it out and it is all really good now.”
The Broncos were a drawcard last year for several reasons, Horsburgh’s manager Jeff Jurotte told AAP.
“We spoke with the Broncos when Corey was thinking about leaving Canberra,” he said.
“Queensland is his home state and his parents both live in Caboolture.
“Kevvie Walters had played footy with his old man Rick. Corey also played Queensland under 20s with Pat Carrigan and they are good mates.
“He didn’t want to live in Sydney so it was always going to be either staying in Canberra or coming back to Brisbane.
“Don Furner and I worked really hard to make sure he stayed in Canberra and now it is all good.”
Things are so good in Canberra that Stuart rubber-stamped a contract extension through until the end of 2027 and made Horsburgh captain for this year’s final round clash with the Dolphins.
“Realistically he was never going to leave Canberra if he could sort it out with Ricky and that’s what happened,” Jurotte said.
“They are getting on now. There is no drama and that’s showing in his footy.”
Furner would love nothing better than for Horsburgh to play the rest of his career in Canberra.
“I hope so,” he said.
“All the boys love him and he has got a little daughter down in Canberra now. He is one of us.”
AAP
