Canberra’s bad luck has continued with Corey Horsburgh found guilty of a shoulder charge and suspended four matches.
On the same day Josh Papalii underwent surgery for a season-ending biceps injury, Horsburgh made the trek to League Central to defend himself against a brutal shot on Brisbane’s Corey Jensen.
The shoulder charge came in the 79th minute during Canberra’s 29-18 loss on Saturday night.
Horsburgh was facing a three-match ban, but would have been free to play against Cronulla on Sunday if found not guilty.
“I’m obviously very disappointed with the result – I think four weeks is a bit much, but it is what it is,” Horsburgh said.
The two-man judiciary panel of Sean Hampstead and Bob Lindner both agree the flame-haired Horsburgh was guilty.
Corey Horsburgh has been suspended for four matches for a shoulder charge.Credit: Getty
The NRL needed to prove there was forceful contact, the contact featured his shoulder or upper arm, there was no wrapping motion made with his arms, and the tackle was careless.
Eight different camera angles were played of the tackle, including one that showed Horsburgh’s arm was away from his body, and not locked against the body, bracing for a shoulder charge.
Horsburgh’s lawyer Nick Ghabar said the initial contact was made with the “pectoral area”. He added Horsburgh always tried to wrap his arms around Jensen.
Ghabar added Horsburgh never once turned his body to the side, and remained front-on the entire time.
NRL counsel Patrick Knowles said Horsburgh’s tackle involved “significant impact” and “significant force”, it was not “glancing contact”, he did not use his arms, and his fist was clenched, which further proved he had no intent of using his arms.
Simon Tayoun, the famous Raiders fan who bangs the drum during the club’s viking clap, made a cameo outside League HQ – with his musical instrument – to show his support.
Raiders skipper Elliott Whitehead told this masthead earlier in the day it was important to have Horsburgh for the all-important trip to the Shire, especially with news Papalii would miss the rest of the year with a biceps injury.
“He’s been massive for us all year, that’s why he played Origin this year, he’s played a pivotal role for us in the middle and hopefully he gets off – they wouldn’t have gone to the judiciary if they didn’t think they had a chance of getting him off,” Whitehead said.
Horsburgh was due to face Sharks forward Royce Hunt, who famously called him a “weak-gutted dog” after an on-field incident the last time they played.
