NRL 2023: Corey Horsburgh climbing Origin ladder in Maroons selection shootout

Big games are often won by small acts – and that’s why Maroons coach Billy Slater likes this youngster. Could he help solve one of their biggest issues?

Corey Horsburgh. PIcture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Corey Horsburgh has been urged to “chase your dream’’ he has and remains the last rookie standing in Queensland’s most intense State of Origin selection shootout.

Queensland’s selectors are closing in on their squad for the first Origin match in Adelaide on May 31 and the red-haired Raider and former Caboolture Snake is the uncapped forward who has made most progress in the opening two months of the NRL.

Competition for middle forward positions is intense and Horsburgh is being watched closely by the selectors who consider their choice of “middles’’ one of their most important challenges.

Coach Billy Slater last month lauded Horsburgh’s Origin credentials, not so much for his four wheel drive surges down the middle but “effort plays’’ like kick chases, cover tackles and the unsung housekeeping which often decides Origin games.

“When you play Origin, you’re tired, you fall back on the habits in your game … that’s the stuff we take notice of,’’ Slater said.

Corey Horsburgh starred in the Raiders' win over Canterbury during Magic Round. Credit: NRL Images.

Even if he misses selection in the first game Horsburgh is likely to be called in later in the series if replacements are required.

Horsburgh, an emotional player who hard worked hard on becoming less volatile, is being quietly mentored by former NSW State of Origin hard man Mark “Spudd’’ Carroll who feels the youngster is blossoming at the right time.

“What about his form on the weekend and that first carry where he just kept dragging the defence with him?’’ Carroll said of Horsburgh’s eye-catching game in the Raiders 34-30 win over the Bulldogs.

“He has always stood out for me. I asked (Canberra coach) Ricky Stuart if I could talk to him a while back and he said “I’d love you to.’’

“He was playing in the NSW Cup. When I spoke to him he was pissed off and dirty on the world because he wasn’t playing first grade but I said “no … you have to work for it.’’

“He is a good listener. I have heard the whispers about how closely the Queensland selectors are watching him and I have sent him texts saying “chase your dreams.

“I have told him not to worry about things. Set some goals – 20 hit ups and 20 tackles per game. It’s bloody hard to do. Just run from the back fence in attack and hit hard in defence.

“I know loyalty matters but what you did a couple of years back should mean less than current form and he is in great form.’’

Stuart said after the Raiders weekend win he had no doubts Horsburgh was ready for Origin.

“There is a class footballer and an Origin footballer,’’ Stuart said. “He is both. He has been so consistent with his form.’’

Originally published as NRL 2023: Corey Horsburgh climbing Origin ladder in Maroons selection shootout