NRL 2021: Corey Horsburgh opens up about dark times and his road back from injury

Fiery forward Corey Horsburgh admits he owes the Raiders after an off-season of drama and is working hard to change his ways on and off the field.

An embarrassed Corey Horsburgh had to stand in front of the up and coming Raiders players to deliver a simple message.

The firebrand forward had just been charged with low-range drink driving on Christmas Eve when he had to address Canberra’s under-21 and under-19 sides.

“It’s embarrassing – you don’t want to talk about the stuff-ups you’ve had,” Horsburgh said. “I’m not the best talking in front of people. I have to get better. If they saw what it did to me – I was all over the media.

“Hopefully they see that and learn from it. It’s not fun and I don’t like talking about it.”

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Corey Horsburgh will miss the Raiders Round 1 clash against Wests Tigers. Picture: AAP

Horsburgh spoke for the first time publicly on Friday since being disqualified from driving for three months and given a $500 fine last month. The 23-year-old said he understood the impact negative stories can have on the club.

“I stuffed up,” Horsburgh said. “I had one too many beers and didn’t wait long enough. It was an honest mistake. I won’t do that again.

“Hopefully it makes me a better person. The image it puts on the club. We’ve had drama. People saying that we’re a bad club and you don’t want to do that to the club you’re playing for.

“I feel like I owe the club something now. I’m just going to focus on getting myself better.”

While Horsburgh awaits punishment from the NRL, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has already publicly said he won’t pick him to play round one against the Tigers.

Teammate Corey Harawira-Naera will also be overlooked as he awaits a court hearing for his own drink-driving charge.

Corey Horsburgh is determined to fight his way back into first grade. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a hard one to take but I deserve it,” Horsburgh said. “I haven’t played since June. If I have to play NSW Cup to earn back my spot I will.”

A serious foot injury sidelined Horsburgh for three months last season. He had a setback on the eve of round 20 as he tried to push his return with significant bone bruising.

“I wanted to get back playing,” he said. “I was pushing it and not telling them. It got to the point where I couldn’t walk. The only way to stop it is to get off it. It wasn’t painful I just couldn’t push off my foot.”

That setback meant another 12 weeks on the sidelines. He finally made his return to the field last week. Horsburgh featured in matches against North Sydney and the Roosters and was put on report twice for a shoulder charge – before being cleared – in each game.

“I couldn’t sleep (because of the charges),” Horsburgh said. “With the drink driving I was missing footy and then I thought was going to miss more footy. My technique wasn’t there. I don’t normally shoulder charge. I was just overexcited playing footy again.”

Corey Horsburgh is working hard on the mental part of his game. Picture: John McCutcheon

Horsburgh had stopped working with the club’s leadership coach Chris Horsley but after being penalised again he is putting more focus into the mental part of his game.

“I was overnervous on the weekend,” Horsburgh said. “I let that get the better of me. I stopped doing (mental work) for a little bit. It’s my own fault. I sit with Chris and tell him about my emotions and trying to keep a clear head. I didn’t do it before the trial.”

Teammate Josh Hodgson said Horsburgh has to realise opposition teams were now singling him out.

“When you’re in Corey’s spot, if people know you’re a hothead they are going to target you and wind you up,” Hodgson said. “He knows that. He is a fantastic kid.”