Corey Horsburgh, a prop for the Canberra Raiders, is considering an early departure from the club, even though he has a year remaining on his contract.
The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the top middle third forwards in the NRL and is now seen as a vital leader for the Raiders.
With 129 NRL games, all but two during a loan at the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2021, Horsburgh has been a consistent performer since his debut in 2019. He also represented Queensland in a State of Origin match in 2023.
According to a **News Corp** report, he is looking to return to Queensland, and the Raiders are likely to allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere if he can secure a contract.
This situation would enable him to negotiate with rival teams, including the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, and Dolphins.
Currently, Horsburgh's chances of landing a new deal remain uncertain. The Broncos are feeling the strain of salary cap issues due to signing Mitch Barnett and the push to secure Xavier Willison.
On the other hand, the Titans already boast key players like Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui in the middle third.
The Dolphins, while interested, also face salary cap challenges. However, they may consider the aggressive prop advantageous for their roster.
Sources indicate that Horsburgh, earning about $600,000 this season, may have to accept a pay cut to remain in Canberra, prompting him to consider an earlier exit for better long-term job security as he enters the latter part of his NRL career.