Corey Horsburgh has stated that he felt the need for a change and a chance to reshape his life, leading him to leave Canberra and join Perth as a foundation player. Speaking for the first time since signing a three-year deal with the Bears, he mentioned how coach Mal Meninga convinced him to make the move.
The 28-year-old has been in Perth preparing for his transition as the Bears get set to start training at the WACA in less than three months. His decision follows a decade with the Raiders, interrupted only by a short loan with Canterbury during the COVID-19-affected 2021 season.
"I just felt like I needed a change, a bit of a refresh if you will," Horsburgh shared on the club's Big Bears podcast. "I feel like I have so much more to offer. I am keen to show the Perth people what I can do. I can't wait for this move. My missus and family, we're excited. We've all seen what Canberra has to offer. I loved my time there, but I am ready for a change and ready to restructure my life."
Horsburgh became a fan favorite at the Raiders and played State of Origin for Queensland at his peak. However, he also spent time in reserve grade in 2024, and Ricky Stuart expressed frustration after Horsburgh was sin-binned during a crucial loss to Newcastle earlier this month. Despite being dropped the following week, Stuart emphasized that there were no hard feelings between him and Horsburgh.
In the podcast on Friday, Horsburgh praised Stuart, calling him a "very good coach and great bloke," crediting him with teaching him much of what he knows about the sport. Ultimately, however, it was Meninga's vision for the Bears that truly captured Horsburgh's attention.
The front-rower was quickly persuaded by Meninga's plans when they met recently in a Canberra café. He decided to wait until after last week's match with Newcastle, which marked Josh Papalii's last home game, before confirming his move to Perth. "It happened quickly," Horsburgh remarked, adding, "We talked a little bit, and then all of a sudden he flew to Canberra and had a chat with me and my girlfriend. He made me fall in love with the ideas he had around building a club. The way he was talking about Perth and footy in general, it seems like he knows a lot. I am very excited to have another chapter in my life and learn a lot."