The future of star Canberra Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh at the club has been thrown deeper into uncertainty after coach Ricky Stuart made his dissatisfaction clear by dropping the forward from the team’s latest squad. The axing comes directly after a high-stakes clash against the Newcastle Knights, where a rash “brain explosion” from Horsburgh cost the Raiders any chance of qualifying for this season’s finals.
During the match, the fiery forward was sin-binned for slapping Knights winger Dane Gagai. The penalty that followed gifted Newcastle two easy points directly in front of the posts, ending Canberra’s slim hopes of sneaking into the semi-finals. Stuart did not hold back his criticism in his post-match press conference, and this week he followed through with disciplinary action by leaving Horsburgh out of the matchday squad. With Simi Sasagi sidelined by injury, Savelio Tamale has been recalled to the centres to fill the gap in the Raiders lineup.
The sudden demotion has fueled widespread speculation that Horsburgh will leave the Canberra club at the end of the current season. Following the Knights defeat, Stuart pulled no punches when addressing the incident. “It should have been 26-all, and there’s a brain explosion when we got a penalty,” Stuart told reporters. “It was a fucking brain explosion and (we) lost the opportunity. We lost the start of the season because we were self-entitled and undisciplined and we lost the opportunity to still then continue and try to make the semis. It wasn’t everybody’s fault. There are 16 other blokes there that made a massive effort. There’s one shit bloody decision that has cost us.”
Beyond the Raiders drama, the latest NRL team selections brought mixed injury and availability updates for some of the league’s biggest stars across the competition. For the Sydney Roosters, star fullback James Tedesco is set to return to the field this week after missing last round’s victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, a major boost for the club’s push up the ladder.
Penrith Panthers, currently fighting for the top spot on the ladder, have listed Dylan Edwards, who replaced Tedesco in the NSW State of Origin side this year, on their extended reserves bench. Edwards has missed the last two matches with a shoulder injury, and his potential return comes as Panthers lose starting lock Isaah Yeo to injury, forcing Lindsay Smith into the starting lineup. Liam Henry has been promoted to the front row, with Edwards set to replace Jaxen Edgar if he passes his final fitness clearance.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles faced a major setback despite widespread speculation that star fullback Tom Trbojevic would make his return from a hamstring injury for Friday’s must-win clash against the Dolphins. Trbojevic has remained sidelined with the ongoing hamstring issue, though the Sea Eagles did receive one positive injury update, with winger Clayton Faulalo set to make his return from his own hamstring problem.
South Sydney Rabbitohs have landed a huge boost ahead of their blockbuster clash against the Bulldogs, with star winger Campbell Graham returning to the matchday squad after recovering from a calf strain. The Rabbitohs will be without starting halfback Ashton Ward, however, who is out with a hamstring injury, opening the door for a rare starting spot for Jayden Sullivan. For the Bulldogs, the same injury has ruled out enforcer Sitili Tupouniua for an extended period on the sidelines.
Elsewhere, Cronulla Sharks will be without both Jesse Ramien (injury) and suspended prop Addin Fonua-Blake for their clash against Canberra, with Mawene Hiroti tapped to replace Ramien in the starting lineup. Brisbane Broncos will again be without halfback Adam Reynolds, who continues his recovery from a concussion, while the Dolphins have lost bench utility Kurt Donoghoe to a thumb injury. The Knights have received a major boost with key players Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland named as inclusions for their upcoming clash. For the Parramatta Eels, starting fullback Isaiah Iongi will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, replaced in the lineup by Apa Twidle.