Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh sorry for blowing bubble during Anzac Day last post

Canberra Raiders firebrand Corey Horsburgh has apologised for disrespecting the Anzac tradition with one careless act, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Corey Horsburgh has apologised for his Anzac error.

Canberra Raiders star Corey Horsburgh has apologised for disrespecting the Anzac tradition by chewing gum and blowing bubbles during the last post prior to the game against Penrith.

He took to social media on Tuesday to express his regret over an incident that angered NRL fans.

“I Just wanted to post a message to say I’m sorry if I offended anyone on the weekend during the ANZAC day ceremony before our game against the Panthers,” he said.

“It was an honest mistake and in no way did I mean to cause offence to anyone.

“I always chew gum before a game and completely forgot it was still in my mouth before I ran out.

“I have the deepest respect for the ANZAC day tradition and it was an honour to be involved in the game on Sunday.”

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Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh blows a bubble during the pre-game ceremony in Penrith. Pic: Fox League

Rugby league is great at honouring Anzac Day and the Diggers who fought so bravely for our country.

That’s what makes it so disappointing to witness Canberra Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh disrespecting the tradition by chewing gum and blowing a bubble during the pre-game ceremony at Penrith on Sunday.

No doubt Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will be having words with his player about this bad look. Horsburgh is a decent fella and will hopefully learn from this.

WHY NINE’S TV RATINGS HAVE PLUMMETED

Channel 9’s rugby league television ratings are down by 12 per cent this season.

It was always going to be hard to match last year’s figures when we were stuck at home during the lockdowns and we watched footy on TV instead of going to clubs, pubs, restaurants, cafes, parks, beaches and Westfields.

However there are other reasons why Nine’s figures have fallen so sharply.

Phil Gould commentating on Canterbury matches for starters. It infuriates viewers.

Taking a great footy brain like Andrew Johns out of the commentary box and dumping him on the sideline doesn’t help either.

Phil Gould’s commentary on Bulldogs games infuriates viewers, while Andrew Johns has been dumped to sideline duties despite his sharp NRL mind.

Nine’s selection of prime-time games has also been a debacle.

Titans v Wests Tigers round three on a Thursday night. Raiders v Cowboys in Round 6.

It is a huge win for Foxtel who continually get the best games on Fox Sports and Kayo.

HIGHLIGHT

Michael Maguire’s celebration in the Wests Tigers’ coaching box to the Luke Brooks field goal that sealed victory over the Rabbitohs, a much happier man than we saw on the Tales from Tigertown documentary last year.

Michael Maguire celebrates the Tigers' win over Souths. Picture: NRL Imagery

HIGHLIGHT II

The Wests Tigers’ outstanding completion rate (42 from 43 sets) for a team that couldn’t hold the football just a fortnight ago.

LOWLIGHT

The Gold Coast Titans. We all thought they’d be banging on the door to play finals football this year. They have been awful. David Fifita is a $750,000 player, not $1.2 million.

SHOOSH

The Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has revealed the club spends $17 million on football operations, like other premiership heavyweights. Penrith’s figures don’t include almost $1 million paid to the companies of chairman Dave O’Neill, vice-chairman Greg Alexander and director Ian Hicks.

SPOTTED

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie watching Melbourne Storm’s captain’s run on Sunday with Craig Bellamy and Stephen Kearney.

Stephen Kearney, Dave Rennie and Craig Bellamy at Storm’s captain’s run.

SPOTTED

Channel 9’s social media department having a crack at one of their own, posting “greatest comeback since Darren Lockyer’s hair” after the Broncos stormed home to belt the Bulldogs on Friday night.

SPOTTED

The AFL is still struggling to make an impact in the rugby league states. On Friday night Channel 7 had an audience of only 24,000 in Sydney and 22,000 in Brisbane. The Sydney figure was particularly disappointing considering it was the GWS Giants against St Kilda.

SPOTTED

Jackson Hastings enjoying lunch at Rushi café in Cronulla before heading to CommBank Stadium to steer the Wests Tigers to victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

SPOTTED

Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night looking a million dollars after his mid-season holiday.