Prop Corey Horsburgh is raring to go in the Canberra Raiders’ home match against the Gold Coast Titans, after being sidelined following a concussion.

Horsburgh said he felt good after a head knock in the Raiders’ Magic Round win against the Melbourne Storm ruled him out of the 10 May home match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

“I was a bit disappointed last week, you pass all the tests, and that, feeling very good. I’m feeling inspired to get out and play some footy,” he said.

Horsburgh said the week off had freshened him up and had not hurt his chances of a State of Origin selection. And he’s ready to go this weekend too.

“I’ve had a couple of knocks and stuff anyway, so it was kind of a little blessing in disguise; (I) got to get off the contact and just get fit and get the body feeling good,” he said.

Horsburgh said it was better to take the safer option, erring on the side of caution by not playing following the head knock.

“I had a little headache, I passed all my tests and the scientific side of things, but I didn’t argue with anyone, I just took it on the chin and just trained,” he said.

He said it was a rollercoaster to watch the Raiders v Bulldogs top of the table clash at GIO Stadium Canberra.

“The boys looked like world beaters in the first (half) and like I said, lost that momentum early in the second and just couldn’t get it back. Then the Bulldogs were like world beaters, it was a strange game of rugby league,” he said.

Horsburgh said some of the issues the players faced these past few weeks included making silly errors and giving away penalties.

When asked by CD how it felt to watch the match alongside a sold out crowd, he said it was crazy.

“I think it was 2019, the last time it was that kind of vibe when we played the Souths prelim (which saw the Raiders beat the Rabbitohs 16-10),” Horsburgh said.

“It was probably my favourite game ever, so if we can get crowds like that every week, it’s going to be a big advantage for us, and we can draw our energy off the crowd.”

He said it would be nice to follow last week’s full capacity this weekend.

“We’ll put a show on and we’ll keep winning these footy games and hopefully the fans keep showing up,” Horsburgh said.

He said looking towards the match against the Titans, they were an “unpredictable” team.

Fellow Raiders prop Josh Papalii said with many young players in their team, there were a lot of lessons to take out of their match last week.

“The young boys are growing with each week and hopefully we will learn from that loss and take it into this one (against the Titans),” Papalii said.

When asked by CD what goes through his mind each match as he edges towards being the most capped Raiders player, Papalii said those moments and accolades were something he’d probably not focus on while still playing.

“They’re probably things that happen after the season or when I’m retiring or when I move on from the Raiders,” he said.

“They’re probably things I look back on and appreciate more when I’m done.”

Tickets to the 18 May clash against the Titans are available at: giostadiumcanberra.com.au/gio-stadium-event/nrl-2025-raiders-v-titans

Canberra Daily would love to hear from you about a story idea in Canberra and the surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.

Feeling social? Follow Canberra Daily: Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Tik Tok | YouTube