Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh apologised on Instagram for the disrespectful act of chewing gum and blowing a bubble while The Last Post was being played during Anzac Round.
Horsburgh claimed it was an honest mistake in a post on Instagram after he was widely condemned for his actions during the solemn moment before Canberra’s clash with the Panthers at Penrith on Sunday.
“Just wanted to post message to say I’m sorry if I offended anyone on the weekend during the ANZAC day ceremony before our game against the Panthers. It was an honest mistake and in no way did I mean to cause offence to anyone,” he wrote.
“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.”
Horsburgh’s Raiders are in the midst of a form slump and are second-last with a 2-5 record following their 36-6 mauling at the hands of the Panthers.
They have a chance to get their season back on track when they travel to Redcliffe this Saturday to take on the Warriors who are coming off a 60-point thrashing in Melbourne.
Tom Gilbert lining up for the Cowboys. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Dolphins add Gilbert to pack
The Dolphins have added to their forwards depth but remain on the hunt for a seasoned playmaker ahead of their 2023 NRL debut.
The Redcliffe-based club confirmed 21-year-old Tom Gilbert would leave North Queensland to return home to Brisbane, where he starred as a teenager with Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.
The Cowboys edge or middle forward, who was the Q Cup’s rookie and lock of the year in 2019, joins experienced forwards Felise Kaufusi, Ray Stone, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich at the new club from next season.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life, which is why it has taken me this long,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been sitting on this for about four months, but it’s time for me to go home and be with my family – they need me.
“It means I’m leaving a club that I love, but supporting my family will always come first.”
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins are devoid of playmaking options and still without a marquee man though.
Retired Queensland great Cameron Smith declared during the week “the panic button is pretty close to being pushed” after Kalyn Ponga joined Reed Mahoney, Brandon Smith, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes in signing elsewhere.
They remain in the hunt for Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster, however the Queensland State of Origin star is contracted at the Storm until the end of the 2023 season.
Bellamy: Papaenhuyzen ‘has to be there’ for Blues
Storm coach Craig Bellamy says star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen can’t do anything more to prove he’s ready for the State of Origin arena.
Papenhuyzen claimed the Anzac Medal for his stand-out performance in his team’s 70-10 thrashing of the Warriors on Monday night in Melbourne.
The 23-year-old is already on the radar of NSW selectors, who picked him in the squad for the end of year series in 2020.
He was tipped to land the bench utility role after a sensational grand final performance which earned him the Clive Churchill Medal, but was ruled out before the first game with a calf injury.
Last year he was sidelined through the series with debilitating concussion symptoms after a severe head knock in Magic Round.
While incumbent fullback and NSW skipper James Tedesco can’t be dislodged, Bellamy plumped for Papenhuyzen to get a call-up again.
“I’d love to see him in there and I think he deserves to be there,” Bellamy said.
“Tedesco has been one hell of a player for NSW and we’re aware of how many great fullbacks we’ve got eligible to play for NSW.
“It’s up to the selectors but the one thing I will say is that he can’t do any more than what he’s doing to keep knocking on the door.
“And hopefully he’ll get a start there at some stage.”
Papenhuyzen said he hadn’t thought too much about Origin selection and was focused on doing his best for the Storm.
“I’m at a pretty special club here where you feel valued, regardless of whatever teams you make and that’s what I’m pretty grateful for,” he said.
“I haven’t really thought too much about Origin to be fair, and it’s probably a good thing.
“You play good footy and you get picked in those sides, but I’m in a good footy team at the moment and valued here and love this team so that’s what I’m focusing on.”
Papenhuyzen spent 10 weeks of the 2021 season on the sidelines with concussion symptoms and a neck injury and said putting on more weight in the off-season had helped with his confidence.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Sea Eagles under pressure over Schuster switch
Manly are facing a problem over Josh Schuster’s desire to play five-eighth with veteran Kieran Foran potentially in the firing line.
Schuster’s management, according to Nine reporter Danny Weidler on 100% Footy, was promised by the previous CEO Stephen Humphreys that he would get a chance to play in his preferred position rather than second row.
Foran was preferred at five-eighth last year with Schuster enjoying a fine season as an edge forward. Schuster has not played this season because of a pre-season ankle injury and is due to return soon.
With bench utility Dylan Walker joining the Warriors next year, Schuster could switch to the halves, relegating Foran to the bench. Foran is off contract at the end of the season but the veteran Kiwi is keen to play on in 2023.
Rob
Guest
Gilbert is a great signing. He wouldn’t be out of place in a Maroon jersey. The Cowboys have been defensively good this year and it’s no coincidence that’s when Gilbert is on. He hits hard and often. Happy to take a hard carry. He’ll be missed by the Cowboys but a star at the Dolphins IMO.
Pete
Guest
Yeah I don't think Freddy will be resting his captain if he's fit and ready to go.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I don't know Schuster or who is managing him, but i would presume the demand isn't so much about where he wants to play for his enjoyment/effectiveness, but more he is a young guy whose next contract could be a big one and halves tend to get paid more than backrowers.
Adam
Roar Guru
But only as a ball playing forward probably...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Gilbert is a good get . I will be sad to see him go. He is a no nonsense workaholic. He's a Brisbane boy so I can't be too critical of him leaving. Dolphin's have done well.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, people love to get their knickers in a knot. He does it every game. No disrespect meant at all.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Bearfax, thanks for your comment , mine was probably targeted at why a CEO should be getting involved in team selection or promising some one a spot . He's gone now so it could be hearsay knowing Weidler plus the fact he's been injured . Not so much about Schuster wanting to play in a certain position . He seems to have a lot of talent but I suppose Des may be selecting on who works best with Cherry Evans . My take is Jake Trojbovic seems to be more of a ball playing forward which I don't think he's seen to his best advantage . I'm sure Des will work it all out .
JennyFromPenny
Guest
I would give Papenhuyzen and Tedesco one game each for Origin I and II - which game for which player, take your pick. You lose nothing with either, and then they are both twice as fresh for whoever plays Origin III.
Redcap
Roar Guru
O'Sullivan hasn't been confirmed, but it would make a lot of sense. The next week or two could be interesting if they've got their eye on any Super League players coming off contract. Officials offers can be made from 1 May as I understand it.
matth
Roar Guru
Good signing for the Dolphons. A bit of youth to go with their more experienced forward signing so far. Gilbert can play in the middle or on an edge. Didn't they pick up Sean O'Sullivan the other day?
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
I agree. It's a poor look getting your laundry out in public when you are not even playing... would Bennett be interested in the kid?
Bernie
Guest
Keiran can't make 40 tackles a game.
Bernie
Guest
AAMI Park is in Qld isn't it?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Seriously, another non issue. Horsburgh is a low player and a fruit cake, but he was obviously just doing it out of habit. It wasn't like he was laughing or talking like I've seen others do. We had trucks with political ads doing laps in Anzac Day marches yesterday, and a PM texting during a ceremony, but a guy with bubble gum is the issue?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Schuster 5/8, Foran to hooker might work.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Maybe Schuster is getting sounded out by another club or two and this could be a good excuse to get a release. I'd like to see him get really fit and lean and play 5/8 and see how it goes. He looks like he could easily drop enough weight to be somewhere in the 95 to 100 range. We need players like him to step right up over the next year or two and be great value for money before he's looking for a million big ones a year if he reaches his potential.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I hear what you are saying (with respect to Hasler having blind spots) but for mine Schuster is an exceptional ball playing forward. Atleast that is where his future lies. At 106kg and not even 21 years of age, he's only going to get bigger. Or he may slim down slightly but still too big for a 6. The Yeos, Murrays, Jurbos of this world are some of the most in demand and influential players on their teams. Schuster could be anything if he perseveres in his current role. Pretty big call for his management to be making demands when he hasn't set foot on the pitch in 2022. He had a breakout 2021, but plenty of talented young men have not returned the same after an injury. They really should wait for him to nail a few games and then plant these stories.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
…, more normal haircut.
JGK
Roar Guru
Well if NSW don't want Pap, we'll have him for the Qld side.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Personally I think Schuster has a good point. This kid was the outstanding star at 5/8 in his junior years and apparently was given some assurance that he would be playing in that role. Hasler wanted a stop gap in the meantime and threw Foran a life line. Foran has performed well in his role and certainly he has shown far more than he had over previous years. He's performed well. But he's also past his prime. Schuster could easily play 5/8 in just about any other side in the comp bar maybe the Storm. He's that good. He is a top ball player and was chased by many other sides but stuck with Manly with I assume some assurance that he would play 5/8. Approaching two years on and already Foran is wanting to play in 2023. I think Foran is a very fine 5/8, solid, a reasonable ball player, fairly good defensively. He does his job well, but in mind mind Schuster is another level up. Meanwhile Schuster is being burnt out as an 80 minutes forward with all the defensive requirements and yet still expected to show his magic. Not surprisingly its been muted. Manly have been struggling without Turbo's magic. But if you looked carefully last year you would have seen that it was often Schuster who created the space through his clever at times unpredictable actions, putting other sides in an uncertain mind. He is easily Manly's best ball player. Manly need to be very careful with this one. If Foran stays on in 2023, I can see Schuster looking elsewhere and for Manly that would be diabolical. Regrettably despite Hasler being a fine coach, he has always been seen as too conservative and rarely makes changes unless forced on him. That's his blind spot. We saw this with having Harper in instead of Koula, who is another of these outstanding juniors coming through. Result was on that edge Manly got thumped until Des was forced to replace Harper, who was known to have defense issues. In comes Koula and though the game was gone by then, suddenly Manly held the line and fought back. Hasler needs to stop being so conservative and take the chance. And one of those is Schuster to 5/8