NRL 2024: Corey Horsburgh meets with Brisbane Broncos, holds talks with coach Kevin Walters

Brisbane has emerged as the frontrunner to secure the services of Corey Horsburgh after the current Canberra reserve grader held talks with Kevin Walters.

Corey Horsburgh. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Corey Horsburgh has held talks with Brisbane coach Kevin Walters as the Broncos ramp-up their pursuit of the Queensland Origin firebrand.

This masthead can reveal Horsburgh flew to Brisbane on Wednesday for a preliminary meeting with Walters as part of the forward’s tour of the Broncos’ $27 million high-performance centre at Red Hill.

Horsburgh is contracted to Canberra until the end of 2027 but has been given permission by the Raiders to talk to rival clubs - less than 12 months after inking a three-year, $1.7 million extension.

The fiery redhead is being chased by four clubs, including the Dragons, Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, but the Broncos have emerged as a genuine contender.

The Broncos are looking to bolster their forward stocks following the loss of grand final campaigners Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia and Brisbane vice-captain Pat Carrigan is a fan of Horsburgh.

Brisbane have yet to table a formal offer for ‘Big Red’ but his management confirmed the 26-year-old could find himself in Broncos colours next season after a positive meeting with Walters.

Corey Horsburgh. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“Corey has interest from a number of clubs and the Broncos are among them,” Horsburgh’s manager Jeff Jurotte said.

“We had a good meeting with the Broncos.

“Corey met with Kevvie, Simon Scanlan (recruitment chief) and Dave Donaghy (Broncos CEO) and had a tour of the club’s facilities.

“Corey would be a great signing for the Broncos.

“They have missed the experience of Kurt Capewell and Tom Flegler and a guy like Corey would bring a bit of aggression to their pack to support guys like Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas.

“Corey played with Pat Carrigan in the Queensland’s under-20s side so the Broncos are one option, but there’s a number of clubs who are also interested.”

Horsburgh had a sensational 2023 campaign, making his Origin debut for Queensland after a barnstorming club season for Canberra that saw him rewarded with an upgrade worth around $550,000-a-season.

But the Caboolture Snakes junior has played just three games for the Raiders this season due to injury, suspension and form woes that have sparked speculation he has fallen out with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.

Stuart has no issue with Horsburgh and was aware of the forward’s trip north to inspect the Broncos set-up.

One sticking point for the Broncos is the salary cap. They are due to give superstar fullback Reece Walsh a $5.5 million upgrade and must also retain backline stars Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs.

Canberra will not pay any subsidy to the Broncos, which could open the door for the Tigers, Dragons or Bulldogs if Brisbane cannot afford to buy out Horsburgh’s Raiders deal.

Jurotte said Horsburgh is prepared to stay at Canberra if he cannot strike a deal at the Broncos or another club.

“Ricky Stuart and Don Furner (Raiders CEO) have been great, they’ve given us permission to look around and that’s what we’re doing at the moment,” he said.

“Corey is a Queensland boy, so coming home always has that appeal and he could one day finish his career in Queensland, but in saying that there’s no issue with the Raiders.

“Corey has had a tough run with injuries at the Raiders and he had to lose a bit of weight.

“He has done that so we’ll go through the options and see what’s the best fit for Corey.

“It was only a year ago that Corey was playing State of Origin so he still has plenty to offer.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Corey Horsburgh meets with Brisbane Broncos, holds talks with coach Kevin Walters