Off the back of a heartbreaking defeat to the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday afternoon, Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh is in high hopes that his side can bounce back at a packed GIO Stadium again this Saturday.
After 94 grueling minutes, the Broncos claimed a 29-28 victory over the Raiders, but despite the result, Horsburgh claims the Green Machine are in positive spirits and are keen to rip in again this Saturday.
“It was a tough, long game; we haven’t played a ninety-plus minute game in a while. But I'm feeling good personally and I'm sure the boys are feeling good by now too.
We’ve been ready since the loss, so the boys are in good spirits despite the tough result, but we are ready to go and we can’t wait to play.”
The Cronulla Sharks advanced to week two of the NRL finals series after their comprehensive 20-10 win against the Roosters at Shark Park last Saturday.
Horsburgh stated he is ready for what will be a tough match-up between the two sides but remains confident in his side’s ability.
“They are a good quality team and it's two exciting footy teams, so it's going to be another good game and I'm excited to play.
We have to play our style, and our high energy throughout the game with big middles that can work in our favour, but if we go away from our game plan it can work in their favour.
What we didn’t do in the last fifteen minutes is play to our style and if we do, we can gas them out.”
The Green Machine fans have really turned out for season 2025, and it hasn’t gone unrecognised with Horsburgh reflecting on how electric the energy was and is up there with the 2019 Preliminary Final against the Rabbithos.
“I love it, you can feel the energy as soon as you arrive on the bus. It’s obviously the last home game of the year, hopefully we can send them off with a bang and put some smiles on Canberrans' faces.
You could feel the fans out on the field it's up there but if not first, it's definitely second.”
It will all be on the line this Saturday night at GIO Stadium, as the minor premier Canberra Raiders face the Cronulla Sharks with the winner advancing to next Friday’s preliminary final in Melbourne.
