Corey Horsburgh is doing everything right in his bid to get back into Canberra’s 17 but with new recruits Morgan Smithies and Zac Hosking doing no wrong, the Maroons forward has been left to bide his time.
Available for selection last week after serving a four-week suspension spanning over last season, Horsburgh returned to the field through reserve-grade in Round 3.
Running over 150 metres with the ball and laying a team-high 34 tackles in the Raiders’ NSW Cup win, Horsburgh looked hungry to make up for lost time after watching his side bow out of the finals on the sideline last season.
But such is the Raiders' forwards depth this year that the fan-favourite firebrand couldn't force his way into the 17 named for their Round 4 clash, with English recruit Smithies putting an early mortgage on the No. 13 jersey.
“It’s definitely a big confidence booster (named at lock) but I’m still well aware that if I have one bad game, there’s other people that can play that position as well,” Smithies told media on Wednesday.
“So it means a lot but I'm well aware that in this competition, you've got to play well week in, week out.
“I’m happy I’ve been thrown in like I have, it’ll only make me better as a player and that’s the job I want to do for the team, but it’s up to me to keep that shirt."
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After topping the Raiders tackle count in back-to-back games after Round 2, coach Ricky Stuart revealed Smithies was brought to the club to be the Raiders No. 13, with Horsburgh capable of playing in the front row when he returns.
"I could probably say I’m a bit of an unselfish player, I’ll do all the effort areas and just do what’s best for the team and if that means making a few tackles I’ll make them,” Smithies said.
"So it’s just up to me to keep playing week in, week out, to a high standard.
"It’s tough but I’m loving it at the same time. It’s a lot quicker than back home and each week is high intensity."
Another recruit to have paid early dividends for the Green Machine is former Panther Zac Hosking.
Despite dropping to the bench to make way for Elliot Whitehead’s return from injury against the Warriors, Hosking still saw 60 minutes in the backrow and has played a big role in the Raiders impressive defensive display to start the season.
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“I knew Elliot would come back in and start, he’s the club captain and has earned that right...I knew I was going to come off the bench and play big minutes anyway so I’m fine with that role,” Hosking said ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Sharks.
“I just want to keep doing things that have been working, sticking to the parts of the game that the coaches and the team respond to, the things that you don’t see on the stat sheet.
“Things the average person wouldn’t notice, that's what I’ve built my game on.
"I know I’m not a guy that will run 100m with the ball, so I’ll do the little things that often go unnoticed.
“A lot of the other guys that are doing that as well are making that competition for spots so much harder.”
Hosking played a big part in the Panthers premiership campaign with 21 caps last season, however after dropping out of the 17-man squad ahead of finals, the 27-year-old will be determined to put his name on a green jersey in 2024.
“There’s a whole bunch of guys, particularly in the forward pack in the second grade side that could be playing NRL at any other club," he said.
“Competition for spots is very healthy for the club and they’re good headaches for the coaches, so if everyone keep performing hey might have a few sleepless nights for the rest of the year."
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